To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee to publish first novel in over 50 years

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s novel titled ‘Go Set a Watchman’ was penned in the mid 1950s.

15:53 04 February 2015

More than 50 years after Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee released her only published novel, it has been revealed that a follow-up novel, which was penned in 1950s before To Kill a Mockingbird will soon hit the shelves.

The novel, entitled Go Set a Watchman follows some familiar characters from the original Pulitzer winner: lawyer Atticus Finch, his daughter, Scout, and Atticus’ defence of a falsely accused black man in the Depression-era South.

In a statement released Tuesday by publisher Harper, Lee said: "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.”

She added: "I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. 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.”

When released, it will become the author’s only other published novel aside from To Kill a Mockingbird. Her first novel became the basis of the Oscar winning film starring Gregory Peck.