Click for Source Image by Ben Mapp
In 1960, Harper Lee published her first novel, the internationally renowned and best selling To Kill A Mockingbird. The novel deals with the then-controversial themes of racism, rape, as well as America’s own flawed legal system, and further involves exploration of class and gender roles in the south of the United States (specifically within the fictionalised Maycomb County). Partially based on her own personal upbringing, the novel initially received a mixed reception but ultimately went onto to become a worldwide sensation. It has been adapted in many formats over the years, with the Oscar-winning 1962 film version (starring Gregory Peck) perhaps being the most famous incarnation of the story.
In 1960, Harper Lee published her first novel, the internationally renowned and best selling To Kill A Mockingbird. The novel deals with the then-controversial themes of racism, rape, as well as America’s own flawed legal system, and further involves exploration of class and gender roles in the south of the United States (specifically within the fictionalised Maycomb County). Partially based on her own personal upbringing, the novel initially received a mixed reception but ultimately went onto to become a worldwide sensation. It has been adapted in many formats over the years, with the Oscar-winning 1962 film version (starring Gregory Peck) perhaps being the most famous incarnation of the story.
Click for Source Image The success of the novel, curiously, did not encourage Lee to develop these characters and their lives more publicly, and for a long time To Kill A Mockingbird was her only novel. A sudden and stunning announcement has now changed all of that. At 88 years-old, Lee intends to publish her second novel in July 2015 which is entitled Go Set A Watchman. The novel will see Scout Finch return as the protagonist but many years after the events of To Kill A Mockingbird where, as a young adult, Scout is struggling to understand her father’s attitudes towards their society as well as her own feelings and perspective regarding Maycomb County and its inhabitants. As a city girl now with connections in New York, Scout’s view on the world – as well as having become much more mature – has changed a significant amount since leaving home.
Lee claims that the novel was actually written in the years before To Kill A Mockingbird was published, but that the original manuscript was lost until very recently, and that the flashbacks which feature in the ‘new’ novel (which adopt the perspective of Scout as a child) were what ultimately led to the development of To Kill A Mockingbird. Lee revealed that her Editor had read the original manuscript and, intrigued by the chapters on Scout’s childhood, requested that she instead make that the novel’s focus. This resulted in Go Set A Watchman falling to the wayside to make way for To Kill A Mockingbird which, in a surprising twist of fate, led to Lee receiving the Pulitzer Prize and becoming a classic example of American literature.
Lee commented recently that she “hadn’t realised” the book had endured for so long, and “so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it”. The manuscript was found, said the publisher, “in a secure location where it had been affixed to an original typescript of To Kill a Mockingbird”. “After much thought and hesitation I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years,” added Lee.
Lee claims that the novel was actually written in the years before To Kill A Mockingbird was published, but that the original manuscript was lost until very recently, and that the flashbacks which feature in the ‘new’ novel (which adopt the perspective of Scout as a child) were what ultimately led to the development of To Kill A Mockingbird. Lee revealed that her Editor had read the original manuscript and, intrigued by the chapters on Scout’s childhood, requested that she instead make that the novel’s focus. This resulted in Go Set A Watchman falling to the wayside to make way for To Kill A Mockingbird which, in a surprising twist of fate, led to Lee receiving the Pulitzer Prize and becoming a classic example of American literature.
Lee commented recently that she “hadn’t realised” the book had endured for so long, and “so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it”. The manuscript was found, said the publisher, “in a secure location where it had been affixed to an original typescript of To Kill a Mockingbird”. “After much thought and hesitation I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years,” added Lee.
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