Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

                


This thread is to discuss Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee. Be prepared for spoilers.


Synopsis:
Originally written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman was the novel Harper Lee first submitted to her publishers before To Kill a Mockingbird. Assumed to have been lost, the manuscript was discovered in late 2014.

Go Set a Watchman features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Returning home to Maycomb to visit her father, Jean Louise Finch—Scout—struggles with issues both personal and political, involving Atticus, society, and the small Alabama town that shaped her.

Exploring how the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird are adjusting to the turbulent events transforming mid-1950s America, Go Set a Watchman casts a fascinating new light on Harper Lee’s enduring classic. Moving, funny and compelling, it stands as a magnificent novel in its own right

What is a BOM (Book of the Month)?

At NRBC we use a more structured approach to our BOMs. We have a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book.

More info under spoiler
(view spoiler)[

“Books of the Month” (“BOMs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and volunteer group members
who help one of us out. We love members who volunteer to write discussion questions. If you'd like to give it a go, just post in the thread the date you'd like.

• If the book is over about 400 pages, we'll usually plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
book.

• We find this style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
free books!

• Likewise, if you volunteer to write discussion questions, but then real life gets in the way, please let the moderators know as soon as possible so we can organise a replacement

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
You can do so at the end of the read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
before you comment
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter Breakdown
 
Date	 Chapters		 Pages PPDQs 
August 22 & 23 Chapters 1-3 1-39
August 24 & 25 Chapters 4 - 7 40-99
August 26 & 27 Chapters 8 - 12 100-162
August 28 & 29 Chapters 13 - 16 163-235
August 30 & 31 Chapters 17 - End 236-278

PPDQs = Person Posting Discussion Questions

I'll be participating! I wish I could commit to DQ for this, but I'll be out of town during this read. But I'd still like to participate as much as I can.

I will be participating too and I am curently waiting to get a copy from my library I am on hold for it so yes I am so excited for this book I read the orginal book junior yr in high school loved it and I just graduated high school in May of this yr

I'm getting a copy from the library!

I'm borrowing it from a friend, so I'm in.

I have book budget every month and this one made the cut.

Just got it from the library, so I'm in.

I'm only a few chapters in but so far Scout - pardon me, Jean Louise is infuriating!! Yes, she's an adult but that essence that is SCOUT is trying to get out! Forget about the southern proper etiquette already!

I am really excited about this book and I know it is a departure from the theme of To Kill a Mockingbird but life changes and so should an authors characters.

Breakdown will be posted soon! Sorry for the delay. I only just got my copy.

Breakdown posted! I have the Kindle copy so I don't have page numbers for the chapters.

Comments and Questions
August 22 & 23 Chapters 1-3

1) Have you read To Kill a Mockingbird? If so, what did you think of it?

2) How do you like the writing style so far?

3) Jean Louise is a lot different than I expected her to be. What is your impression of her?

4) What about Atticus?

5) Aunt Alexandra thinks Henry and Jean Louise are not meant for each other. Do you agree or are you hoping Jean Louise will finally agree to marry him?

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Breakdown posted! I have the Kindle copy so I don't have page numbers for the chapters."

I have a borrowed hardback copy. Here are the page numbers you need:
Chapters 1-3 (pages 1-39)
Chapters 4 - 7 (pages 40-99)
Chapters 8 - 12 (pages 100-162)
Chapters 13 - 16 (pages 163-235)
Chapters 17 - End (pages 236-278)

So far I'm having a difficult time connecting with Jean Louise's character. I loved To Kill A Mockingbird and I grew up watching the movie, so to see her so different is shocking to me. They are all so different than I expected them to be.

I'm going to try and put aside my memories of the first book and treat this one as a completely new story.

Hey- I've been meaning to post here, but I had a crazy busy weekend and am having a tough week, so I'm just getting to it. I read this book last month for an in-person bookclub- so keep in mind that I've already finished it.

Amanda- I think you're right to try and look at this as a separate novel as opposed to a sequel. I tried to do that as well, and I think I enjoyed it more as a result (though I had MAJOR issues with the ending).

Comments and Questions
August 22 & 23 Chapters 1-3

1) Have you read To Kill a Mockingbird? If so, what did you think of it?
Yes, and I reread it right before reading this. TKaM is one of my favorite classics. I think it has such a great and realistic child narrator in Scout and obviously a very important message.
2) How do you like the writing style so far?
I thought the writing was beautiful in parts for the first 2/3rds of the book, even if not as polished as TKaM. There are very good parts and very bad, jumbled parts, in my opinion. This book could have used more editing in places, certainly, and the plot is somewhat lacking, but I think it's important to remember that this is an early draft of a novel, not something that was designed to be a finished product. One thing that I did think was not well done in this book (especially as opposed to TKaM) was the dialogue- it seemed stilted to me, with all the dears and honeys.
I can see why Harper Lee's editors suggested to her that she write a novel from Scout's perspective as a child. I definitely thought the flashbacks were the best parts of the book.
3) Jean Louise is a lot different than I expected her to be. What is your impression of her?
I definitely agree that Jean Louise/Scout is depicted quite differently than I had pictured her growing up in my mind from reading To Kill a Mockingbird. I guess that due to her tomboy personality as a child, I expected her to be closer to a modern woman in some ways. Instead, she seems to be giving in to societal pressures. However, then I realized that Jean Louise was born in the exact same year as my grandmother. Apparently my grandmother was quite the tomboy in her youth, but I would probably never have guessed that about her. Jean Louise in this book reminds me in some ways of my grandmother, who has certainly never been timid or very unassertive, but is quite ladylike and properly behaved in my experience. My point is that maybe the way Jean Louise grew up according to Lee was a realistic possibility for a tomboy girl in that time period.
4) What about Atticus?
Up until Chapter 9, he wasn't too different from my impression of him in TKaM, (view spoiler)[though then things drastically diverge. (hide spoiler)]
5) Aunt Alexandra thinks Henry and Jean Louise are not meant for each other. Do you agree or are you hoping Jean Louise will finally agree to marry him?
I wasn't completely sure, but then this line: "He was her true owner, that was clear to him." (pg. 53) turned me against him completely. A woman is not property! In addition, there just didn't seem to be quite enough passion between them and their goals and expectations didn't seem compatible to me.

1) i haven't read "To Kill a Mockingbird" so far but that's the next book i'm planning to read

2) i found it hard to read in several places, especially when the story turns into Jean Louise's memories. Hard to follow and understand the purpose of certain passages.

3) Jean Louise seems to be the only lively actor with the fully developed character in the whole book. In the first few chapters she seems to be thinkig of herself as better and cleverer than other "country" people. Acting as a little girl, doing whatever. In one sense she can be viewed positively in our society as a person clinging to her own oponion, living life to its fullest.

4) Atticus is a totally mysterious person, especially as i havent read the Mockingbird".

5) i was hpping they would marry each other and that it was only Jean Louise's whim and tease to decline the offer. I thought they were meant for each other and that knowing each other for a lot of years counts as a strong factor towards their marriage.

I did read it, more than once and loved it (TKAM.) I liked the writing style of Go set a watchman OK, but it read IMO more like a memoir than a novel. I didn't like any of the characters really, and would not have recognized them from TKAM.

I'm still working on reading Go Set A Watchman. I'm having a difficult time getting into the book because I'm not a fan of the characters.

Amanda wrote: "I'm still working on reading Go Set A Watchman. I'm having a difficult time getting into the book because I'm not a fan of the characters."

I agree Amanda. I did read it because a friend was and we wanted to discuss it, but it was easy to put down. It was a kind of slice of life from the times, but the characters were too similar to Southern stereotypes (and sadly often for good reason) people I grew up with.

I had conflicting feelings about Go Set a Watchman. The exploration of how Scout feels betrayed and let down was interesting. At 70% I was glad I had read it, even if I couldn't say I was enjoying it because it just was not fun to see Atticus from a totally different and negative perspective. The sexist, outdated views were a bit hard for me to take (as well as the racist ones, of course). Plus, no Jem and Dill was a major disappointment- I was really looking forward to seeing how they grew up and what their adult relationships with Scout were like according to Lee.
Then I got to the ending, which I hated and thought ruined what merit the book had, and I was no longer glad I had read it. (view spoiler)[I mean, her uncle HITS HER and suddenly everything's ok? She actually feels sorry for getting mad at Atticus about his racism? She's going to move back and coexist with everyone? I couldn't wrap my head around it. (hide spoiler)]

Some questions for you guys:

What did you all think of the ending?

Are you glad you read Go Set a Watchman?

What's the message you took from the book? Do you agree with that message?

I agree with you. I was okay with it until the "hitting" and then he wants a shot of whiskey after it because it was the first time that he hit a woman!

I was hoping for a better ending, maybe Scout ending up with Hank/Henry.

By the end I couldn't care less about Scout, and based on how she acted throughout, it seemed in character for her.

*********THIS BOM IS BEING REVISITED!***********

Starts July 25, 2018

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

res

Thanks Mods!


Looking forward to this

(Team Tonks)

I'm listening to this via audiobook whilst I drive to work an uni. So far - I've listened to 5 minutes. Reece Witherspoon is the narrator. I might listen from the start again. I might have missed a bit.

On page 60 as Scout finds her father with arthritis and tells her aunt to piss in her hat. Scout then discusses her philosophy of life with her suitor, Clinton- Great dialogue so far .

I do agree!

I don't know if I'm taking in everything with the audiobook. I can't remember how (view spoiler)[ Jem died (hide spoiler)]

I'm listening to chapter 8 now. I am finding it that it's going a bit slow. I'm not liking it as much as To Kill a Mockingbird

Tina- It is like you are reading my mind- those are the same 3 points that I am taking from the novel

I sort of don't want to finish it D:

Where are you up to now? I'm up to Chapter 12 (1/2 through) and I'm going to stop for today.

I feel like everything up to chapter 11 could have been condensed.

I have 3hrs and 32 minutes left of the audiobook. Reece Witherspoon is actually a good narrator

Chapter 6 and I assume they had sex on the beach but what do you think?

No I don't think they did. I thought they just went swimming and Alexandra was scandalised!

I might have missed that reference though!

I am liking Atticus' character so far.

Jean Louise I think is okay so far

I'm not liking Alexandra as a person. She's irritating me with how she is with Jean Louise

Jean is a snob because she lives in New York and thinks she is smarter than everyone.
Finding it hard to believe that Henry is still in love with her after she left him and moved to New York or is that just from my male perspective?

True that.

I finished it today. Woo

I can see it happening... I never really saw the romantic love between them.

She's starting to see her family and friends through eyes of an adult, not of a child and starting to realise more about their beliefs and actions.

I actually liked Uncle Jack in this. I'm conflicted with how Jack (view spoiler)[managed to bring Jean Louise back to reality. To strike her?! (hide spoiler)]