By now, the consensus among critics is that Go Set a Watchman is ineffective as a novel. It is said that it could not stand alone, with poor organization, uneven tone and a voice that is oddly calibrated.
It was likely published for the wrong reason, at the wrong time with a question about whether or not Harper Lee’s permission was obtained for its release. Having said all that, I have tried to remove all sentiment from this week’s review and give it the fair shake that I think it deserves. In light of that, I suggest that although imperfect, it is a first-rate companion book.
Whereas To Kill a Mockingbird is about loss of innocence with many characters being identified as mockingbirds who have been injured through contact with immorality, Go Set a Watchman is a Pandora’s box of more complex, mature themes; an evolution. The journey of Jean Louise (aka Scout), who has grown from a “colour blind”, tom-boyish girl who idolizes her father, Atticus Finch, to a 26 year old struggling with his “betrayal” of turning seemingly racist overnight is engrossing.
Jean Louise transforms during the book from thinking in adolescent absolutes to an understanding of moderate, informed judgment. There is blurring of the lines between good and bad. She realizes that no individual is truly either of the extremes; the world is often more grey than black or white.
The matrix for this coming-of-age story is explored through the redefinition of the relationship between Jean Louise and her father, Atticus. She discovers that Atticus has joined one of the marginally respectable Citizen’s Councils, a kind of less-covert version of the Klan, and is horrified. And so begins a series of heated and lengthy debates – first with Uncle Jack Finch and then with Atticus. Through the conduit of these discussions Jean Louise comes to understand that her father allowed her to first “destroy” and “obliterate” the idolized version of her father to be able to see him as a human with all the rough edges and everything that entails.
The book performs a full revolution when her Uncle Jack tells her that “Every man’s island Jean Louise, every man’s watchman, is his conscience”.
If you hold in the highest regard To Kill a Mockingbird you will be pleased with this book, as I was.
Go Set a Watchman still retains some delightful elements of Mockingbird as Harper Lee alternates between the past and present with flashbacks – Jean Louise transforms into Scout again allowing the reader to reminisce. If you desire more insight into Harper Lee’s creative and editorial processes, this is an excellent addendum.
Go Set a Watchman is a 3.5/5.
