'Mockingbird' sequel delivers a shock: Your Say

The long-awaited sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "Go Set a Watchman," goes on sale Tuesday. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

In the novel, Jean Louise, the real name of Scout, makes shocking discoveries about Atticus Finch, her father and the hero of "To Kill a Mockingbird" ("'Watchman': Is Atticus Finch a racist?").

This sequel's insights are important to discuss. It is not rare for Southerners to feel the wrongness of the racism of their parents' generation. It's also not rare to be wounded by the duplicity of a loved one once imagined to be less racist, just as Scout's character is wounded. Ending racism is a painfully slow process.

— Susan Broussard

There were plenty of white folks during the 1950s who thought the treatment of blacks was wrong, yet still held feelings of their own superiority. It was wrong, but a sign of the times. People such as Atticus (yes, he was fictional) were taking some of the earliest steps.

— Gariclaus Leopoldo

Why not just celebrate Harper Lee's "new" work? Take from it what you will.

Her other work, "To Kill a Mockingbird," is a piece of American literature, and for it she will go down as one of the great American authors/novelists.

— Jimbo Kay

USA TODAY's review states, "It's distressing to see the great, saintly Atticus diminished." This reminds me of the saying, "Be careful what you wish for, you may get it."

— Steve Evets