Go Set a Watchman

A Novel

De: Harper Lee

Narrado por: Reese Witherspoon

Look for The Land of Sweet Forever, a posthumous collection of newly discovered short stories and previously published essays and magazine pieces by Harper Lee, coming October 21, 2025.

Performed by Reese Witherspoon

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“Go Set a Watchman is such an important book, perhaps the most important novel on race to come out of the white South in decades." — New York Times

A landmark novel by Harper Lee, set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—“Scout”—returns home to Maycomb, Alabama from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise’s homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town, and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past—a journey that can only be guided by one’s own conscience.

Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of the late Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor, and effortless precision—a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context, and new meaning to an American classic.

Wonderful follow up

Loved that we get to see a more complete Atticus and not just Gregory Peck in a white suit. I liked Atticus 1 more, but this new view seems more realistic for someone in Maycomb in the 50's-60's. Thanks Scout.

Tell it like it is!

This is a coming of age novel about a late bloomer. Maybe you have to have lived in the South throughout the Civil Rights movement to appreciate Jean Louise's dilemma: how does one deal with loved ones whom you believe to be woefully wrong in some of their beliefs? Do you stop loving people because you disagree with them over a serious moral issue? Do you refuse to have anything further to do with them? Is it possible for a person with good intentions to be on the wrong side of an issue, or is everyone who makes bad moral choices ( I.e., choices other than yours) to be written off as thoroughly evil? Does anyone see the relevance for our own times?

The descriptions of life and relationships in a small town are delightful. The coffee held to "honor" Jean Louise had me laughing fit to bust -- I've been to that party many times, and I could easily finish every sentence. The flashbacks to Scout as a child lightened what would have otherwise been a dreary read.

Some critics have decried the ending because it lacks a resolution. Remember that this was written and set in the fifties. There WAS no resolution at that point. The best we can say, for ourselves as well as for Jean Louise, is that it was a beginning.

As for the narration, Reese Witherspoon was the perfect choice. She nailed it.

In the four days since it came out, I've listened to Go Set a Watchman twice. I'm going to let it rest a few days before I read it in print.

Go Set a Watchman

Any additional comments?

Anyone eager to jump on the current politically correct racial bandwagon, pout about the demonizing of Atticus Finch, needs to chill and spend some time studying the history of the times reflected in Go Set a Watchman. This book was written over 60 years ago. The civil rights movement in the United States was starting to boil; lynchings were still taking place, the KKK was still active, segregation was a normal way of life.

Why force the moral sensitivities of today into the literature of yesterday? It cannot and should not be done!

Atticus Finch came from the mind of an author who was accurately portraying a man of his time and place … unique and different perspectives of the same character in two novels, first in Go Set a Watchman followed by the award winning To Kill a Mockingbird. Both books portraying complex and fascinating characters.

Remember the very beginning of TKAMB? Atticus Finch had to be convinced by a judge to take on the rape case…he didn’t want to. Ever wonder why not? Go Set a Watchman might give you food for thought into his complex mind, as it does for Scout.

With wonderfully developed fictional characters, Go Set a Watchman is a true reflection of American history, one of the most realistic portrayals of the southern mindset and culture of post American Civil War I’ve ever read. Much more realistic than To Kill a Mockingbird. I particularly enjoyed Scout’s Uncle Jack, Atticus’ brother. Well worth the credit.

Reese Witherspoon is an excellent choice, just the right touch of accent. Well produced. Enjoy!

Not what you're expecting, but still good.

An arresting tale of growing all the way up.

And those who complain about Atticus were clearly not paying attention to the story and should read it again.

The same charming characters but light on prose and ambience.

Reese does a wonderful performance.

Glad to have read this one.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would and do recommend reading "Go Set A Watchman" . Racial prejudice is insidious; rarely seen for the pervasive personality trait defect of character that it is. Here we have a glimpse into the familial properties of racism, and as outsiders, and as a result, we all have an opportunity to reevaluate our own perspectives, our own intolerance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have done, but I work. Inconvenient, but I managed to get the whole of the book over several nights.

Any additional comments?

We must remember the era in which the book was written. Remembering also that attitudes and opinions of typical folks don't actually change much even after several generations pass.