Harper Lee’s Hometown Joyful, Anxious Over “Mockingbird” Sequel

MONROEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Harper Lee's book "Go Set a Watchman" arrived in the author's home town of Monroeville, Alabama, to jubilation over the much anticipated sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird."

But there was also worry and disbelief that the new novel will portray a darker side to literary hero Atticus Finch.

Eager fans lined up outside Monroeville's Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe to snatch up copies as the book went on sale at midnight.

The town planned a full day of celebrations Tuesday with readings, walking tours, lectures and a mint julep cocktail hour at the lawn of the Old Courthouse Museum.

While excited, some were also nervous and disbelieving after seeing reviews that in the sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird," hero Atticus Finch had become a racist 20 years after he unsuccessfully defended a wrongfully accused black man for the rape of a white woman.