Amidst the building anticipation for Harper Lee’s novel Go Set a Watchman, which releases in full on Tuesday, July 14, The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian have published excerpts of the book’s first chapter.
The latter publication dressed up the text with illustrations and an audio recording by Reese Witherspoon, whose smooth voice accompanies the chapter perfectly. The former took a no-frills approach, allowing readers to interpret the text as they please.
The novel begins with a grown-up Scout, known now as Jean Louise Finch, taking a regular visit back home, riding a train from New York to Maycomb rather than her preferred route, by air. The story’s told in third person; we learn that Jean Louise, like Scout, “was a person who, when confronted with an easy way out, always took the hard way.”
Enthusiasm, along with criticism, is already rolling in. Some readers are celebrating further insight into Scout’s adult lives, while others are lamenting the quality of the writing.
Below, Twitter’s responses to the first chapter of Go Set a Watchman:
“If you did not want much, there was plenty.”
So far, I am not disappointed by the writing in Go Set a Watchman. http://t.co/NjWELYVT4J
— Maggie McGrath (@mcgrathmag) July 10, 2015
Go Set a Watchman first chapter review: NOW IN EMOJI #journalismtrends
— Michelle Dean (@michelledean) July 10, 2015
“Is that Watchman set yet?” Scout asked peevishly. “I thought I asked you to set that Watchman. Go set it.” #BeautifulFirstLines
— Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) July 10, 2015
Need the German word for being curious about “Go Set a Watchman” but not curious enough to read it in case it’s actually bad.
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) July 10, 2015
But who is going to comment on the notable lack of ham costumes in first chapter of Go Set a Watchman?
— Radhika Jones (@radhikajones) July 10, 2015
Not yet 6 a.m. but I’ve read 1st chapter of ‘Watchman’ on my iPhone. We’re not in Kansas; but Maycomb’s not bad http://t.co/OwEGXTjiXr
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) July 10, 2015
Well, the reference to “Negro houses” in the 1st chapter of GO SET A WATCHMAN is a little sigh-making.
— Amanda Nelson (@ImAmandaNelson) July 10, 2015
Not to be greedy but I thought it was gonna be written in the first person re. Go Set a Watchman
— Jenny Han (@jennyhan) July 10, 2015
EXCLUSIVE: First review of first word in first chapter of GO SET A WATCHMAN: “In.” This deceptively common word suggests inviting coziness.
— Adam Sternbergh (@sternbergh) July 10, 2015
“an unmistakably profane glint in Atticus Finch’s eyes.” The line that launched a thousand pages of Atticus erotica. http://t.co/KS5qEcahmc
— Chloe Angyal, PhD (@ChloeAngyal) July 10, 2015
Was NOT expecting the first chapter of GO SET A WATCHMAN to be told from Christian Grey’s point of view.
— Jason Pinter (@jasonpinter) July 10, 2015
Working on my review of the first word of the first chapter of ‘Go Set a Watchman.’
— Ryan O’Neill (@_RyanONeill) July 10, 2015
Having Thoughts after reading Ch. 1 of GO SET A WATCHMAN. Also Feelings.
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) July 10, 2015
Sorry, but I’m never going to get used to Scout Finch snogging people
— Camilla Long (@camillalong) July 10, 2015
The Harper Lee book sounds like a weird insult a hippie would tell an authority figure in a movie from the 60s: “Go set a watch…man.”
— Jason Diamond (@imjasondiamond) July 10, 2015
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