MANILA, Philippines – Just when you thought “To Kill a Mockingbird” will be Harper Lee’s first and last published book, the famed author drops a bomb that would put all literary lovers at the edge of their seats.
After 55 years, the Pulitzer-prize winning author finally agreed to release the first book's sequel, “Go Set a Watchman.” Reports said the book will be released on July 14.
“Go Set a Watchman,” was finished in the 1950s, but Lee decided to hold the publishing to avoid the publicity she got when her first book was released.
“To Kill a Mockingbird,” is among the best-selling novels of all time, with a total of 40 million copies sold. Because of the racial themes and critical language used in the novel, it became notorious and was in fact banned in several regions sporadically.
Two million copies of the 304-page novel will be published immediately, which is 400 times bigger in number compared to the first novel. It will also be available in electronic edition.
Here is the full statement of Harper Lee, as cited in Publishingperspectives.com:
In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called ‘Go Set a Watchman.’ It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman, and I thought it a pretty decent effort. My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel (what became `To Kill a Mockingbird’) from the point of view of the young Scout. I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. I hadn’t realized it (the original book) had survived, so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. After much thought and hesitation, I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years.”