Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee - March 2016

The sad news of the death of Harper Lee last month has prompted us to make Go Set A Watchman our focus this time round.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow evening's discussion of this controversial novel.

Here are the discussion questions

1. What is the significance of the title?
2. This book represents one of the most emotive publishing coups in living memory (comparable with Harry Potter releases, perhaps?) What is your position on To Kill A Mockingbird, and what do you know of the circumstances surrounding the writing, publication and reception of Go Set A Watchman?
3. To Kill A Mockingbird and Go Set A Watchman are separated by two (fictional) decades. Do they map onto each other happily?
4. The novel begins with Jean Louise's fifth return journey to Maycomb having 'succeeded in folding herself up into the wall' half-naked and having to be rescued by a porter on her train journey. How does this establish the tone?
5. What was your reaction to page 13's 'nightmare'?
6. Some readers have complained that the wide sociopolitical allusions as well as the contemporaneous popular culture references make the novel difficult to read in the UK in 2016. Did these detract from your enjoyment of the novel?
7. What are the narrative strengths of the novel?
8. And its weaknesses?
9. And the inevitable Atticus question: is he a racist and have your views of him changed?

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

February's book was by Anthony Doerr:

We unanimously loved All the Light We Cannot See and it provoked much discussion about the compelling narrative structure.  Definitely one we’ll all be recommending. 

Thanks to Rosanna for hosting.