“Go Set a Watchman,” Harper Lee’s sequel to her classic novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” was a fascinating picture of the South in the 1950s. I think it has some pertinent discourse of the current state of racial tensions in America today some 70 years later.

While Lee’s writing in her sequel does not compare to her masterpiece there is much in the way of themes and perspective to glean from the book. The story centers around Jean Louise “Scout” Finch’s return to Maycomb after college and spending some years in New York City. The Alabama of her childhood is gone and it is replaced with vastly different ideals that she believed were there in her youth.

Lee’s sequel produced some powerful feelings and emotions regarding what is right and wrong and the different perspectives of various townspeople. While Lee doesn’t specifically espouse one approach or view over another, she instead encourages the reader to have opinions and beliefs and also keep an open ear to hear and listen to others.

While I understand the point of “Go Set a Watchmen,” I also thought the ending was a little weak because of her ultimate conclusions.

Get a copy of “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee on Amazon here.