Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

There is great debate right now on whether or not Go Set a Watchman is a true sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird. I see we have it set as part of the Series… and yet, I'm very hesitant to agree with this.

Have we discussed this yet? Are we leaving it as a series?

Tasia wrote: "There is great debate right now on whether or not Go Set a Watchman is a true sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird.I see we have it set as part of the Series… and yet, I'm very hesitant to agree with th..."

It's quite confusing as I have read that 'Go Set a Watchman' is actually a draft of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

As have I, and having just read it… I can't see this as a sequel. It wasn't intended to be. Plus, if you ever have a copy and look at the dust jacket blurb, the publishers want it to be seen as an "essential companion," with all language suggesting this work is meant to supplement Mockingbird.

Does it have common characters with Mockingbird? Is it set chronically before or after Mockingbird?

We follow 26-year-old Scout revisiting Maycomb, seeing many familiar characters, but I don't feel that justifies the classification of a series. Watchman is supposedly the first draft of Mockingbird; not a sequel, but the text that it was born from.

They're definitely connected, but… There's where the debate lies.

On Goodreads, if it has one or more common characters and a common "universe" (both of which appear to be true), then it is a series.

Well, then that's settled, then!

Maybe make it an unnumbered series?

It's still right on publisher Harper Collins front page and they seem to be trying to consider it a prequel. It technically starts a little earlier; but, I agree more with the "companion" phrasing where it can be in series but shouldn't be numbered as prequel or sequel.

lethe wrote: "Maybe make it an unnumbered series?"

That will probably ruffle fewer feathers, and I think it makes sense.

rivka wrote: "lethe wrote: "Maybe make it an unnumbered series?"

That will probably ruffle fewer feathers, and I think it makes sense."

Have removed the numbering.