Harper Lee, the author of the classic American novel To Kill a Mockingbird, is to publish a second novel this summer.
Publisher Harper announced today that the 304-page novel, titled Go Set a Watchman, was written before To Kill a Mockingbird, but essentially functions as a sequel, featuring an adult Scout returning to the town of Maycomb, Alabama 20 years later.
In a statement issued by Harper, the famously reclusive author said:
In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called Go Set a Watchman. It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman, and I thought it a pretty decent effort. My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel (what became To Kill a Mockingbird) from the point of view of the young Scout.
I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. I hadn’t realized it (the original book) had survived, so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. 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.
The publisher plans a first printing of 2 million copies.
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