After nearly 55 years, Harper Lee, author of the “To Kill a Mockingbird” has released another novel. “Go Set a Watchman” was written as a rough draft before her first book was actually published.

Though it was initially published as a sequel to Lee’s first novel, some have actually started to view it as a prequel due it being an earlier draft and the fact that it shows early versions of many characters that appear in “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

“Go Set a Watchman” follows Jean Louise Finch, commonly known as “Scout”, in her younger years. Jean Louise, who is now 26, travels from where she is living in New York to visit her home town of Maycomb, Alabama. While there, Jean Louise reconnects with her family and friends that still occupy the town.

As the story is set during the civil rights era, the town is feeling the effects of the controversies between the “Brown vs. Board of Education” Supreme Court case, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Her homecoming quickly turns sour when she makes shocking discoveries about the people closest to her. These discoveries make her think back to childhood memories, and she begins to feel doubt about herself and those around her.

Though the novel had the same setting and many of the same characters as its predecessor, it had a different feel to it. It was lighter and more uplifting than the first.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The plot was pretty interesting and I enjoyed getting to experience Jean Louise and her mindset as well as the way she interpreted the things going on around her. She is a bit peculiar, but stubborn when it comes to her beliefs and values, and I admire that about her.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic novels that have a mix of humor along with real life issues and history. If I were to rate it on a scale, I would give it a four out of five.

17jdake@usd489.com