Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I did not dislike the book because of the portrayal of Atticus, which I found to be interesting and not inconsistent with Mockingbird (I've been very intrigued and puzzled by the bellyaching over Atticus).

Nor am I ranking the book this low because it is an unpolished work, which it is. Clearly a few more rounds of editing would have significantly improved this volume.

***Spoiler Alert***

I disliked the novel because of its accommodationist conclusion. Yes, empathy and understanding of other viewpoints are important, but some viewpoints should be confronted with the force and vigor that Scout shows in her fight with her father. I felt completely let down by Part VII (especially the critical and abhorrent role that domestic violence plays in the climax). Scout should leave Maycomb and should distance herself from her family.

That said, there were parts I found quite good. One of the best chapters was the coffee that Aunt Alexandra forces upon Scout. This chapter was very well written dialogue and character study, revealing the social setting. Scout's introspective voice was strongest in this chapter, as well. I liked that device throughout the novel and how the introspective voice was used to develop Scout's individual conscience (the true plot of the novel). In places, including the Coffee chapter, the introspective voice was almost like Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man.

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