Review for "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee

I thought I was a Christian, but I'm not. I'm something else. And I don't know what. Everything I've ever taken for right and wrong these people have taught me, these same, these very people. So it's me. It's not them. Something has happened to me. 



Rating: 3.75 stars

I love Jean Louise Finch. This story of her growth, both in reflections on her childhood, understanding and defending her beliefs, and coming to terms with the harshness of the adult world was super exciting for me to read. This book is well written, and the story is logical. I understand that people are mad that Atticus is not who they thought he was.But he wasn't what Scout thought he was either; that's the point!

You better go warn your younger friends that if they want to “preserve our way of life”, it begins at home. It doesn’t begin with the schools or the churches, or any place, but home. Tell 'em that. And use your blind immoral misguided daughter as your example. Go in front of me with a bell and say “unclean”. Point me out as your mistake. Point me out. Jean Louise Finch, who was exposed to all kinds of guff from the white trash she went to school with, that she might never have gone to school, for all the influence it had on her. Everything that was gospel to her she got at home. From her father. You sowed the seeds in me, Atticus. And now it’s coming home to you. 

I know that's an absurdly long quote for a review, but holy COW. Scout is my role model. I love love love strong females that rant at men when they say/do dumb/bigoted things, and Jean Louise just snatched my metaphorical weave with this monologue. The thing that you have to accept in this book, is that this is Jean Louise's story. Not Atticus's, or Jem's, or anyone else's. And she absolutely blows me away. She is a wonderful character, and I don't think that her circumstances or her reactions to those circumstances were illogical. 

Jean Louise is "color blind", fiercely defensive (bigoted, as Uncle Jack says), and altogether an admirably strong-willed character. Sure, Atticus's attitude in this book is disappointing, considering he is the reason Scout has the viewpoints that she does, but if Jean Louise was going to defend her fierce belief in equality and justice, who better to challenge her than the man she looked up to more than anyone else? To me, pitting Atticus against Jean Louise was brilliant. It was the only logical choice. She doesn't act completely mature throughout the discussion, but like everyone else, she's flawed and all the more admirable for it. 

-.5 stars because there were some things that needed more explanation in order to understand how they fit into Jean Louise's history and development (Jem's death anyone??), and -.75 for the slow pacing and insertion of some seemingly pointless anecdotes.

I respect all opinions, and I do understand the opposing ones on this book. But before you 1-star this, just remind yourself: this is Jean Louise's story. And when I remember this, I must admit her story is beautiful.