For 55 years, author Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” has impacted countless generations and changed American’s viewpoints on equality and the concept of good and evil. Now, after selling 40 million copies of this debut novel, and not to mention winning a Pulitzer prize, Lee has shocked the world by announcing the release of a second installment to main character Scout’s story, “Go Set a Watchman.” It is set to be released in the summer of 2015.

 

Lee’s announcement has caused commotion to say the least. The news of the new novel was received with excitement, but also apprehension by many members of the literary community.

 

Although, “Go Set A Watchman,” written by Lee before the hit, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is set 20 years later, it depicts Scout as an adult. Just like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the novel takes place in a small town named Maycomb, and features many of the classic characters from the first installment.

 

Lee said her decision to not previously release “Go Set a Watchman” was influenced by her editor, who persuaded Lee to develop a novel solely based off Scout’s childhood flashbacks in “Go Set a Watchman.” After that, the original manuscript of the story was lost until 2014, when it was rediscovered and Lee made the decision to finally publish it.

 

“Go Set a Watchman” will be released by the publishing house, HarperCollins, this summer.