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48 pages 1 hour read

Go Set A Watchman

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Book Brief

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Harper Lee

Go Set A Watchman

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015
Book Details
Pages

278

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Maycomb, Alabama • 1950s

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

870L

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Super Short Summary

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee follows Jean Louise Finch, who returns to her hometown of Maycomb, Alabama, and grapples with disillusionment as she discovers her father, Atticus, and her romantic interest, Hank, are involved in a group that supports segregation. This realization challenges her perceptions of her family and propels her towards a journey of self-actualization. Themes of racism, segregation, and disillusionment are present.

Contemplative

Emotional

Nostalgic

Challenging

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

3.5

332,060 ratings

46%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

20%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman has been met with mixed reviews. Critics appreciate its historical context and thematic exploration of racial tensions, but some feel it lacks the polished narrative of To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel’s portrayal of beloved characters in a new light has evoked both admiration and disappointment.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Go Set A Watchman?

Readers who would enjoy Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee are typically fans of Southern Gothic literature and complex character studies. They appreciate works like Lee's own To Kill a Mockingbird and William Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust. These readers value themes of racial tension, moral introspection, and coming-of-age narratives.

3.5

332,060 ratings

46%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

20%

Not a fan

Character List

Jean Louise Finch

A college-educated 26-year-old residing in New York City, she returns annually to her hometown in Alabama, where she navigates personal and ideological conflicts.

A 72-year-old lawyer and father in Maycomb, Alabama, known for his calm and patient demeanor while holding controversial views that challenge his daughter's beliefs.

The eccentric brother of Atticus and uncle to Jean Louise, who left medicine for a life devoted to literature and serves as a guiding figure for his niece.

Jean Louise’s childhood friend and occasional romantic interest, he works as Atticus’s legal protégé while negotiating social expectations within their Southern town.

Book Details
Pages

278

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Maycomb, Alabama • 1950s

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

870L

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