US bookshop offering refunds for ‘Go Set a Watchman’

US independent bookstore Brilliant Books is offering refunds to customers who purchased Go Set a Watchman expecting a ‘nice summer novel’ rather than a ‘first draft’, reports the Guardian. In a blog post, the bookseller writes: ‘It is disappointing and frankly shameful to see our noble industry parade and celebrate this as “Harper Lee’s New Novel”. This is pure exploitation of both literary fans and a beloved American classic … We therefore encourage you to view “Go Set a Watchman” with intellectual curiosity and careful consideration; a rough beginning for a classic, but only that.’ Brilliant Books’ owner Peter Makin said his decision was prompted by a conversation with a customer who had only recently become aware of the history of Go Set a Watchman. He said the store was still selling the book ‘but we do explain to folks what it is, so that they buy it with their eyes open’.

Category: International news