Mockingbird Tribute: Caldwell Library To Host Harper Lee Book Events

“Since Atlanta, she had looked out the dining-car window with a delight almost physical.”

So begins the most-anticipated novel in recent publishing history.

Lee hasn’t released a book since her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” in 1960. But when her new book, “Go Set A Watchman” officially hits the shelves on Tuesday, July 14, the infamously reclusive author will once again be thrust into the spotlight.

In honor of the book release, the Caldwell Public Library will be hosting a pair of film screenings and a book givewaway:

• Friday, July 17, 11 a.m.: Film screening of “To Kill A Mockingbird” starring Gregory Peck.
• Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 p.m.: Film screening of “Hey Boo: Harper Lee and “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
• Wednesday, July 29: Take a “To Kill A Mockingbird” Quiz to be entered into a raffle for a free copy of Harper Lee’s new book. Drawing will be at the screening of “Hey Boo” on July 29. See circulation desk for details.

Southern-style refreshments will be served at both events. Registration is required, and can be done online at the library’s website, or by calling 973-226-2837.

THE NOVEL

“Go Set A Watchman” takes place about 20 years after the events of “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

The new novel, like the old, is told from the point of view of Scout Finch. Chapter One follows Scout as she journeys home to Maycomb, Alabama, from New York City.

Without giving away plot points or spoilers, a few updates to some characters and events already have some readers surprised and upset.

Lee, now 89, still lives in Monroeville, Alabama, the town for which fictional Maycomb is modeled. With her health declining, many have questioned whether she was competent enough to approve the release of the manuscript, which was found by her lawyer in 2014.

The state of Alabama opened an elder-abuse investigation against Lee’s lawyer, Tonja B. Carter, but found Lee was capable of giving consent to the publication of the novel.

Send Caldwell news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com