By Jemille Williams
and Collin Kelley
The anticipation for the prequel/sequel to Harper Lee’s classic “To Kill A Mockingbird” has reached critical mass as “Go Set a Watchman” is slated for official release on Tuesday, July 14. Although controversy swirled that its release was done without Lee’s consent and this past weekend’s revelations in early reviews that the beloved character Atticus Finch has been recast as a virulent racist, millions are still eager to read the continuing story of Scout and the denizens of Maycomb, Alabama.
Sales of “Mockingbird” have seen a resurgence as the release date of “Go Set a Watchman” draws nearer. They had been selling at a steady pace of a million a year half a century after its meteoric debut in 1960, which won its astounded author the Pulitzer Prize. Pre-sales of “Go Set A Watchman” have gladdened the hearts of indie bookstores and Amazon alike.
The Barnes & Noble at Edgewood Retail District near Little Five Points and the Barnes & Noble in Buckhead are hosting a day-long reading of “To Kill A Mockingbird” until 9 p.m. this evening.
In Decatur, Little Shop of Stories is hosting a midnight release party tonight, July 13, starting at 10 p.m. for “Go Set A Watchman.” There will be activities and goodies for all ages.
Further out, FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock is planning a release day celebration on Tuesday featuring featuring Melita Easters, the playwright of “Nelle’s Story: The World of Harper Lee,” and Mandi Lee, who is portraying Lee in Synchronicity Theatre’s production through July 19.
The play draws the audience into Harper Lee’s world from age 11 to nearly 90, as Nelle gives wry insight into the challenges of keeping out of range of admirers and journalists who continue to seek her out following the publication of her famous novel.
For backstory of her process of bringing Nelle to the stage, have a listen to GPB’s Bill Nigut interviewing playwright Melita Easters on “Two-Way Street” at this link.
