Harper Lee: Here's what happens in the beginning of her 'Go Set a Watchman'
Fans anticipating 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author Lee's upcoming book 'Watchman' got a sneak peek when the first chapter of the novel was posted online. The first chapter contains some interesting revelations.
Fans anticipating 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author Lee's upcoming book 'Watchman' got a sneak peek when the first chapter of the novel was posted online. The first chapter contains some interesting revelations.
Harper Lee fans eagerly anticipating the release of her new novel 鈥淕o Set a Watchman鈥� got a sneak peek at the novel recently with the publication of the novel鈥檚 first chapter.
Before the publication of the beginning of the book, fans knew that 鈥淲atchman鈥� takes place decades after Lee鈥檚 legendary, Pulitzer Prize-winning first book 鈥淭o Kill a Mockingbird鈥� and centers on 鈥淢ockingbird鈥� protagonist Scout Finch as an adult when she returns to visit her father Atticus in the town of Maycomb, Ala.聽
鈥淢ockingbird鈥� takes place in the 1930s and follows Scout鈥檚 memories of a turbulent time in her childhood, when her lawyer father Atticus took on the case of an African-American man accused of raping a white woman.聽
The film version of 鈥淢ockingbird鈥� netted actor Gregory Peck, who portrayed Atticus, a Best Actor Oscar and the movie also won the Best Adapted Screenplay award as well as being nominated for Best Picture, Best Director for Robert Mulligan, and Best Supporting Actress for Mary Badham, who portrayed Scout.聽
Following the publication of the first chapter, readers now know a little more about the world of 鈥淲atchman."聽
(Spoilers follow鈥�)聽
What most likely got readers鈥� attention the most? Scout鈥檚 brother Jem is dead. This is referred to casually in the text in describing Scout鈥檚 love interest Henry Clinton. Henry was a friend of Scout鈥檚 older brother and Scout remembers how Jem 鈥渄ropped dead in his tracks one day.鈥� After Jem died, Atticus decided to bring on another young man for his practice. Henry was selected by Scout鈥檚 father for this task.
In addition, during the first chapter, Henry proposes to Scout, but Scout demurs for the moment. 鈥淔or the present she would pursue the stony path of spinsterhood,鈥� Lee wrote.聽
A famous character yet to make his appearance in the chapter? Scout鈥檚 father Atticus, who is referred to as ailing 鈥� he was apparently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Henry tells Scout that Atticus can no longer close his hands all the way and that Scout鈥檚 Aunt Alexandra must help him with tasks like tying his shoes.
Still on board for this new book, readers? 鈥淲atchman鈥� will be published on July 14.