Review: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

2 stars for Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.

I wonder at times why author Harper Lee, with the success of her debut Novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), never continues to write and publish more. After all, she won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction writing in 1961 and her book has been widely acclaimed by teachers and pupils and readers alike. It is only in 2015, after more than fifty years that her second novel, Go Set a Watchman, is published. When I get curious enough, I do my usual thing - I whip out my cell phone. A few keystrokes later, and there, I have my answer. The wonders of Google. It reveals the following "Two reasons: one, I wouldn't go through the pressure and publicity I went through with To Kill a Mockingbird for any amount of money. Second, I have said what I wanted to say, and I will not say it again." This author has character!

After To Kill a Mockingbird, I find myself at a loss on what's next. The book is so well written that I worry my next one will not be as good. In truth, my mind is still very much rooted in Maycomb and I want to spend more time with the Finch family. In the end, I feel that it has to be Go Set a Watchman. Once decided, I proceed to read and finish it over the weekend. Though I spend two days on Watchman compared to the seven for Mockingbird, it is hardly because I like the former more than the latter.

Fast forward some eighteen years and Jean Louise Finch is now twenty-six years of age. Not much is mentioned on the lost years from the close of Mockingbird when Jean Louise is around nine years old to the young lady she is now. With the exception of a new character, Henry Clinton, there is pretty nothing much new. In fact, Go Set a Watchman is very much an iteration of author Harper Lee's first novel, with some passages taken word for word. Bulk of the story deals with flashback of Jean Louise's childhood and the days of old spent with her brother, Jem, and their Summer friend, Dill.

After an almost perfect story laden with lessons on prejudice and racial discrimination in Mockingbird, Watchman is definitely not what I have expected. I keep the pages turning non-stop, in hope of - I'm not sure what exactly - perhaps another court case or something similar to that effect, or some earth shattering revelations or whatever, but definitely not the same old thing. In the end, I didn't get what I hope for, no major up there. But I did experience a painful down where I get lost amid the abstract arguments between Atticus and Jean Louise over civil rights. That is not to say there are no lessons to be learnt from Watchman. There are still, but it is an agonizing read which I rather do without.

Go Set a Watchman is a book readers will not understand and appreciate without first reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Even then, it is a book I find painful to read and hard to like. Perhaps, it may have been for the best if the author has simply left it at that and let Mockingbird be the sole book to carry on her literary legacy. After all, we all know that she has said what she wanted to say in her first novel.

Review: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

5 stars for To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

This is a book I have been meaning to read for the better part of my life. Back in high school, I remembered looking forward to having this book as part of the required reading for my English Literature curriculum only to be disappointed on learning that there had been a major overhaul for the course books in that year. I did not know what had brought about the change then, I only knew I did not buy the book as it was no longer on my booklist. With that, it was out of my mind. But not for long. Somehow or other, this book has always been at the back of my mind. In 2015, I finally bought a copy of the paperback - with a cover exactly as above - brand new from a chain bookstore. As usual, when a book belongs to me, I have the tendency to procrastinate reading it for the reason I can read it any time I want, and this book being no different ends up on my bookshelf for five years before being put to its very original purpose of existence. Still, reading it five years later is better than never.

Written in first person, the story is narrated by a girl, Jean Louise Finch, who is known as Scout throughout the book. She is six years old when the novel starts off and close to nine by the end of the tale. Because of her age, Scout offers an unusual perspective that plays an important role in telling readers her hometown, Maycomb, its folks and the way of the people. Scout lives on the main residential street in Maycomb town with her father, Atticus Finch, her brother, Jeremy Finch better known as Jem, and their black cook, Calpurnia.

To Kill a Mockingbird is an intelligent story about injustice and racial prejudice. There is depth to the story and there is depth to the characters. It is this depth that captivates me and keeps my eyes glued to the pages. It is so good a deep story that I feel no tip-top review can do justice enough to the complexity of the issues raised in the book. A story of coloured folks and white people, it tells of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a small Southern town ravaged by the Great Depression, defending a black man.

There are many lessons to be learnt from this book, the most crucial one being discrimination and the fears that motivate it. To quote Atticus "Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand." To quote Mr Dolphus Raymond "the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too.” To quote Atticus "I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again." The 'they' here indicates white people and the 'it' refers to the injustices against the black population. To quote Atticus "There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads — they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life.”

Another lesson is the comparison between the children's world and that of the grown-ups. The story captures the simple minds of children and contrasts it against the more complex world of adults with regard to treatment of black people. To quote Atticus "..and when they do it — seems that only children weep." To quote Mr Dolphus Raymond "Because you're children and you can understand it." and "Things haven't caught up with that one's instinct yet. Let him get a little older and he won't get sick and cry. Maybe things will strike him as being - not quite right, say, but he won't cry, not when he gets a few years on him." To quote Scout "Equal rights for all, special privileges for none."

Then, there is the invaluable lesson on all things Atticus. He teaches us to respect others and the elders. The life lessons he ingrains in his children are priceless. To quote Atticus "First, apologize to your aunt... Let’s get this clear: you do as Calpurnia tells you, you do as I tell you, and as long as your aunt’s in this house, you will do as she tells you.” and "As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it — whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.”

Atticus believes resilience in one's character - rather than wielding a weapon - is a measure of true courage. He is quick to tell his son so when the opportunity arises. To quote Atticus "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." 

Righteous and humble, Atticus is a man of principle and many talents. He commands respect. Maycomb people trust him to do his job and do it well. To quote Scout "My father had served for years in the state legislature, elected each time without opposition" To quote Miss Maudie Atkinson “People in their right minds never take pride in their talents." To quote Atticus "Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” To quote Scout “He’s the same in the courtroom as he is on the public streets.” To quote Mr Dolphus Raymond "..Miss Jean Louise, you don’t know your pa’s not a run-of-the-mill man.."

There is also the lesson on conformity - the choice to live as one prefers as opposed to conforming with society's expectations. People adhere to the usual standards expected by society, so much so that most, if not all, cannot understand why some beg to differ. In the eyes of the conformists, there must always be a reason for behaving differently, the that-is-my-choice reason is no reason. To quote Mr Dolphus Raymond “I try to give them a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey — that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does.” and "They could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live.”

And so, the list of lessons goes on. I will but list down my last here which is in relation to the book title, To Kill a Mockingbird. Mockingbirds symbolize innocence in the novel. To kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Both Atticus and their neighbour, Miss Maudie Atkinson, told Scout and Jem that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because these birds cause no harm to anyone or anything, they just sing. To quote Atticus "I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit them, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." To quote Miss Maudie Atkinson “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

In the chapter before the last, Scout despite her age, demonstrates a deep understanding of the meaning of mockingbird when asked by her father to explain the conversation between him and Mr Tate, the sheriff of Maycomb County. To quote Scout "Yes sir, I understand. Mr Tate was right." and "Well, it'd be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" I love the way author Harper Lee directs Scout's reply back to her book title. So how does the story tie-in to the title, To Kill A Mockingbird? Well, two characters in the book are symbolic of the mockingbird. If you have read the book, you will know as surely as I do which two characters I am talking about. If you have not, I will highly recommend you to read this book, a book you will not regret reading.

This book is one of those I can appreciate enough to make every effort to read slowly. There are passages which I deliberately take time to read to prolong my first-time-reading-it experience. I especially like the part - in the last chapter - where Scout's mind drifted to events of the past from summertime to fall to winter, back to summer and finally to autumn again. Reading that summary of main events is like watching a drama which has been fast-forwarded except that it is in my mind's eye. I am impressed by the imagery employed by the author to create a lyrical emotion. Even as I take my time to read, I find myself all too soon at the end of the story. Amazingly, there is still one more thing to like about it, the story ends as well connected and brilliant as the way it begins.

Looking back, perhaps it is a blessing in disguise - of a sort - that I did not read this book during my high school days. After all, I am one who enjoys reading for leisure much more than reading and studying the same for a paper. In any case, I am just happy to have read this book finally; one more item that I can now cross off my bucket list on top of checking it off my Reading List.

Review: Recursion by Blake Crouch

Did Not Finish Recursion by Blake Crouch.

One word - confusing. Two words - very confusing. Three words - very, very confusing. I think you get the drift. Yes, this is one confusing story that has me completely baffled.

While I enjoy stories on alternate world, time travel and the like, there is a limit to how far I am willing to journey with science fiction on the topic in question. Mostly, it depends on the writing, the story and the context. I am not sure which one falls short in this case but I know for sure it makes the going tough. I am sad to be saying all these as I quite like author Blake Crouch. He has been added to my list of authors to watch out for ever since I read his other science fiction, Dark Matter, three years ago.

I may try reading this book again in future. Or not. I don't know. I only know until then, Recursion will remain a Did Not Finish.

Review: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov |《Reread》

5 stars for Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov |《Reread》.

Fret not, this is not a review wrongly posted. Yes, it is Lolita again, and no, it is not a different Lolita. It is Lolita. To quote "Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta." That's right. The very same Lolita which I read and reviewed one week ago.

It is a well-known fact that people read the same book over and over. Needless to say, it is not unusual for booklovers to engage with their favourite books a second, third, or even tenth time. As a voracious reader, I am certainly not new to rereading (for leisure). If not for my ever-growing Reading List and the inevitable opportunity cost of time, I will have reread more books than I have liked to date. Though no stranger to reading a book more than once, I have never read the same book a second time right after it has been first read. Lolita is my first. I suppose there is always a first time for everything. By my rereading so soon, it also goes to show how much I adore Lolita. After all, action speaks louder than words.

In rereading Lolita - as with some other rereads, in particular The Lord of the Rings series - I have come to pay heed to the finer details of the story, things which somehow managed to slip past me the first time round. For that, I am glad for my attempt to relive the story, to go above and beyond the usual. At the same time, I am sad to say that it is not the same. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I enjoy Lolita any less this time, but simply for the reason that I am not experiencing Lolita for the first time anymore. Yea, ask any booklover and the consensus will be that it is a coveted pleasure to be reading a great book for the first time.

I have dallied much over the review of a reread. I shall move on by saying I stand pat on my previous review on Lolita - 5 stars.

Review: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

5 stars for Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.

I have been trying, of late, to revisit some books that, for some reason or other, I did not manage to complete previously. Lolita is one such. To tell the truth, I have never thought I will pick up this book again one day. In the end, one day is here. Now. And I realise coming back to Lolita is one of the best literary decisions I have ever made.

Lolita, a story within a story, is based on a memoir written by a man using the pseudonym Humbert Humbert (H.H.). Due to certain events past, H.H. is sordidly drawn to nymphets. Nymphets here refers to young girls, who are attractive and sexually mature, but still possess childlike behavior and innocence. This memoir is the account of H.H.'s obsession and relationship with one particular nymphet whom he gives the term of endearment Lolita. To quote "She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita."

On top of his complete adoration of Lolita, H.H. also reveals at the onset of his memoir, page one in chapter one, that he is a murderer. To quote "You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style." Even so, the reader has to read on patiently to find out if this self-professed murderer is telling the truth - as the reader will soon discover that H.H. is not quite the reliable narrator as he makes out to be - and if so, uncover who the victim is. By this subtle act of confession, H.H. kicks off his memoir with a fancy air of mystique meant to keep the story rolling in suspense.

Over the years I have read books and been affected by some (naturally), but this is the first book, and likely the last, that shakes me up so badly. To say Lolita is a disturbing story is a gross understatement for it is not, in my opinion, a tale for the faint hearted. It is great yet terrible, exquisite yet grotesque, beautiful yet ugly, shocking yet soothing, exhilarating yet heartbreaking, sordid yet entrancing. Yes, it is one sordid tale of a story. Sordid yet entrancing in its own right. What makes Lolita so morally shocking yet beautiful and seductive at the same time is the way it draws out the reader's sensual imagination and high-arousal emotions - anxiety, anger, fear, excitement, thrill - through the author's skilful riddling of narratives with flamboyant word play in lieu of graphic descriptions and lewd details. It is a dark story for sure, but it is also one so beautifully narrated that it brings writing and storytelling to a different level, and in all likelihood, reason for Lolita attaining a classic status.

Having read Lolita from foreword to postscript finally, I can now appreciate why it is listed as an ideal book to have by so many of the contributors in My Ideal Bookshelf. Though a tragic story with an obvious villain at its core, there is still sympathy abound as empathy set in in readers. Even if we do not see eye to eye with H.H.'s deadly fixation, we understand his illicit pursuit of passion, a result of author Nabokov's great prose style that brings out the best and worst of humanity. The articulations of longing and insatiable illicit love is so gloriously tender that the reader in me cannot bear to point fingers but express sorrow in a quiet, gentle way. I think, whoever reads and loves Lolita as much as I do, will inevitably find a piece of themselves in H.H. upon reaching the end of this sad beautiful story.

Lolita is, without a doubt, one of Vladimir Nabokov's great literary masterpieces, perhaps even considered to be his most famous work as one of the most controversial and widely read books of its time. I believe this unforgettable work of art on obsession will continue to survive the test of time.