I reread To Kill a Mockingbird because I wanted to read Go Set a Watchman and I felt it was important to read them in order. I hadn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird since I was in middle school but when people ask me what my favorite book is, I still say it’s this one. So I was a bit worried that a reread wouldn’t live up to what I had in my heart.
But it so did.
I fell in love with the book all over again. I loved loved loved the characters, the description, the setting, the plot. Just all of it.
Then I listened to Go Set A Watchman and it was just not the same. It was a lovely book on its own right. It had flaws but it wasn’t terrible. It just was no To Kill a Mockingbird.
I never read the book in school. But after my husband and I watched the movie (again), he told me I should. He had read it in school and told me it was really good–and he’s not much of a reader. So I read it as an adult and absolutely loved it!
As for Go Set a Watchman, I don’t think I want to read it. I figure if Ms. Lee decided it wasn’t worth putting out into the world, I will honour her judgement. And when it was published, I heard a lot of the same disappointment (and worse) that you suggest. So, I’m happy to leave it be.
Like Margaret I didn’t read To kill a Mocking Bird until I was an adult. I loved it and said to my husband that I wished I read it as a child because I think it would have had a good impact on me! I’m biding my time to give it to my 12 year old niece…. Don’t think I’ll read her other just because I don’t wnat to be disappointed.