'To Kill A Mockingbird' Author Harper Lee To Publish Second Novel

[CrispyQ]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/harper-lee-publish-second-book

"In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called 'Go Set a Watchman,'" the 88-year-old Lee said in a statement issued by Harper. "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."

Looking forward to the 'new' book.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. There are many concerns about this "new" book.

Carter is Truman Capote's cousin by marriage,,ie: she married a cousin of Capote.
Many friends of Ms. Lee( who is blind and deaf now) are complaining that Carter is preventing visits to her.
Before she died at age 103 in 2014, Harper's sister Alice had always taken care of legal and financial matters for Ms. Lee.

There is some suspicion about Carter's involvement, and that this "new" book is appearing so soon after Alice Lee's death.
And judging from everything I have read and heard about Harper Lee's attitudes, that quote about the book does not at all sound like her.

[TeamPooka]

2. plus her agent is a thief....

To Steal a Mockingbird?

The notoriously private author Harper Lee is now waging a public courtroom battle. Her lawsuit charges that in 2007 her agent, Samuel Pinkus, duped the frail 80-year-old Lee into assigning him the copyright to her only book, To Kill a Mockingbird—then diverted royalties from the beloved 1960 classic. Mark Seal investigates a scandal packed with publishing legends
By Mark Seal

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/08/harper-lee-dispute-royalties

[Brainstormy]

3. Some acts are impossible to follow

I feel for Ms. Lee. No matter how good the second book is it will be judged against her American masterpiece. It's still good to know that readers and fans may hear from her again.