Harper Lee’s new book, “Go Set a Watchman,” will be the subject of events Tuesday at the Chapel Hill Public Library.

Readers remember the Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s groundbreaking 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” as the white lawyer who stood up against racial prejudice. In the book, Finch defends a young black man named Tom Robinson, who was falsely accused of raping a white girl. Gregory Peck played Finch in the 1962 film adaptation.

But critics who’ve read advance copies of Lee’s second release warn readers to prepare themselves for a very different Atticus Finch. “Go Set a Watchman” features a racist Atticus Finch who affiliates with the KKK and opposes desegregation.

Nonetheless, Harper Lee fans are awaiting the release of her new book with a great deal of excitement. Flyleaf bookstore owner Jamie Fiocco says she’s even a little nervous about the expectations readers have for a book that may have been an early draft of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“Whenever I read a debut novel, I’m a little more forgiving with maybe the author’s way of writing and how they develop the story,” Fiocco said. “But this is a really strange situation in which the second book we’ll be reading is really the first book, […] but we’re reading it as the second and so there’s a lot of expectation.”

The Chapel Hill Public Library is inviting fans to gather there Tuesday to celebrate the release of “Go Set a Watchman.” Library Director Susan Brown says the celebration will feature the 1962 film adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and a panel discussion.

“Daniel Wallace is going to moderate,” Brown said. “We have an author, someone from the ACLU, someone from the Center for the Study of the American South, and they’re all going to talk about what Harper Lee has meant to them as writers, as readers and to our culture.”

The library is showing the film at 2 p.m. The panel will take place at 6:30 p.m. Flyleaf Books will be selling copies of Lee’s new book at the event.

Related Stories
‹
'Queen of Katwe' Author Featured at Chapel Hill Public Library
Tim Crothers is a UNC professor and sportswriter. He’s a former senior writer for Sports Illustrated. He’s written a book on Roy Williams. He’s written a book on UNC women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance. But he’s mostly known as the author of “The Queen of Katwe.” It’s a book about a Ugandan girl named Phiona […]
Facing Pressures In All Directions, Orange County Commissioners Near Budget Decision
Orange County Commissioners are holding a public hearing on next year's budget Thursday, May 28, with major decisions yet to be made.
As Chapel Hill Library Weighs Options Amid Possible Funding Cut, Supporters Speak Up to County
After receiving more than $620,000 annually from the Orange County government, the Chapel Hill Public Library may soon lose that funding.
No Tax Increases and Increased Spending Featured in Chapel Hill Staff's Proposed FY27 Budget
Following a year with improved revenues and a new town manager at the helm, the Town of Chapel Hill may go into the next fiscal year without a tax increase or significant cuts.
Orange County Recommends Tax Increases for FY27 Budget; Chatham County Could Keep Rate Flat
Both Orange County and Chatham County revealed their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year this week. Here are the highlights.
Orange County: Details of the Budget Presentation and Tough Decisions to Make — (May 6, 2026)
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton speaks with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, May 6.
On Air Today: 'The Iconic Gathering: The Power of Diverse Women' Film Screening
Denetra Hampton, Producer at For Nurses By Nurses Studios spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 14. She discussed The Iconic Gathering: The Power of Diverse Women in Film Project. She talked about the format of creating a "cinematic lecture" featuring the voices of historical figures from throughout history. The film gathers six iconic women, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mary Peake, Mary McLeod Bethune, Zora Neal Hurston and Dr. Virginia Alexander for a candid conversation on the power of diverse women, and the intersection of history and pressing issues of today. She also talked about the tour that this film is on, with the Chapel Hill Public Library being one of several stops on the tour so far. 
On Air Today: 'A Warning Then and Now,' From North Carolina's Racial History
The Chapel Hill Public Library is hosting "A Warning Then and Now," a reading of George H. White's farewell address to Congress in 1901.
Our Town: The Story of Summer in Chapel Hill
This month, Nikki Cherry and Karin Michel and from Parks and Recreation and the Library tell the story of making the summer season fun for kids and families in Chapel Hill.
Broadcaster Jim Lampley Talks About the Luck, Timing and Moments that Led to Book, 'It Happened!'
Sports broadcaster Jim Lampley joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss how his first book "It Happened!" came together and themes throughout it.
›