by Harper Lee
HarperCollins
Copyright (c) 2015
ISBN13: 9780062409850
Page count: 278
Genre: Fiction, Sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee is famous for writing only one novel – the blazingly successful To Kill a Mockingbird. This work, published decades after TKAM, is a sequel that was written before. On its own, it is not a strong literary work and was rejected by publishers. Fortunately for us, the publisher suggested that she explore the circumstances that would make this book come about. Thus came about TKAM.
In this work set in the 1950s, Scout (Jean Louise) is aged in her twenties, soon after returning to rural Alabama after studying in New York. Think culture shock, especially vis-a-vis the racial tension in Jim-Crow Alabama. She is in a weird, undefined romantic relationship with Hank (Henry). She is caught skinny dipping with him. In a charming, funny flashback, she dresses up with fake breasts to attend his school dance.
The main theme of the book is the formation of Jean Louise’s conscience. She learns to control it and to overcome youthful idealizations in order to act as a responsible adult. Having an uncle Jim and a father like Atticus certainly help this.
How this conscience was formed is the stuff of legend in American literature and is why this book is worth reading for those inclined to literature. If you have not read TKAM, read it along with this book. It sets the stage for Lee’s famous magnum opus.