Harper Lee’s highly anticipated second novel, “Go Set a Watchman,” was released this July. Readers either loved it or hated it, and English teachers everywhere have been shunned for reading it.

“Go Set a Watchman” is the sequel to Lee’s first novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” an American classic adored by every generation. Although the story is written in a third person point of view, it continues to follow the perspective of Jean-Louise Finch, who is now 26 years old. Now living in New York, she often visits Maycomb and claims that it changes every time she returns.

Everyone who read her first novel cannot deny how beautifully written it is. It is such a beloved book, making it difficult for a sequel to live up to its legacy, which may be why Harper Lee was so hesitant to publish it.

While Scout is now an adult, the novel contains many nostalgic, heart-warming flashbacks of her childhood with Dill and Jem that were not featured in the first novel. There are introductions to new characters, such as Scout’s boyfriend, Henry Clinton. There are also mentions of characters readers loved from the first novel that don’t appear, such as Dill.

I will definitely say this book wasn’t as enjoyable to read as “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Now that Jean-Louise is a logical, mature adult, readers never get to experience her sassy remarks and thoughts. The childish, amusing dialogue in the first novel is part of the reason it was so captivating.

She is also referred to as Jean-Louise rather than Scout, which shows how she has grown up. However, there are sentimental moments when Atticus refers to her as Scout. While her tomboy personality has vanished, she still stands up for the same ideals, such as feminism and denying the stereotype of Southern womanhood.

Like any coming of age novel, there are cringeworthy moments where Jean-Louise opens her eyes and realizes how cruel the world can be. She finally notices how the small town she grew up in has changed over time, and who the people she has known her whole life truly are. We see the dark sides of characters we love, and how they have changed with the town of Maycomb.

It is difficult not to be disappointed with “Go Set a Watchman” because of the high expectations it had to live up to. By looking at it as its own piece of literature, I can not deny that it is still a beautifully written book. However, I am not a big fan of the character development.

Acceptance and open-mindedness is key to reading this novel. Although some parts are very disheartening, it is overall a wonderful read. While it is not a book that will make you feel better about the world like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” it will still fill you with nostalgia when you see how much can change in the small town of Maycomb.