Harper Lee, the reclusive author of “To Kill a Mockingbird," is “happy as hell” about the overwhelming response to the news that she will publish her second book in 55 years.
HarperCollins shocked the world this week with the announcement that the beloved "Mockingbird" author would publish “Go Set a Watchman,” a book she completed in the 1950s prior to the 1960 release of her best-seller.
In a Thursday press release put out by HarperCollins, the company referred to Lee’s attorney, Tonya Carter. Lee said she was “alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions (to) 'Watchman,'” Carter said.
"Watchman" will be published in mid-July and is
already No. 1 on Amazon as people leaped online to place their pre-orders.
In a press release announcing the book, HarperCollins quoted Lee: "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 from the point of view of the young Scout."
"I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told," Lee continued. "I hadn't realized it 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."
Despite an enthusiastic response from many fans, the media quickly turned to speculation from Lee’s friends that the author, who has consistently rejected the spotlight, really didn't want to publish the sequel.
AL.com reported that friends believe she may have been manipulated into publishing the novel by Carter.
“I don't think she agreed to do it. I think it's her attorney being greedy, because Ms. Lee was a very private person who didn't like a lot of publicity," Janet Sawyer, who owns a local café where Lee lives, told AL.com.
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