In the early days of February, it was announced that there was a Harper Lee new novel on the way to the publisher's house, set for a summer release, 55 years after her first book, the Pulitzer-winning "To Kill a Mockingbird" - however, new evidence points that Lee may not have been acting out of her own interests.
Ever since Harper Lee's new novel was announced last February, many have raised concerns over whether the 88 year-old author and recluse is acting out of her own free will by publishing "Go Set a Watchman," a sequel to her original novel.
As The Guardian reports, doubts about Harper Lee's new novel arose from the moment the book was announced, as the author has been famous over the past half a century for being very private and always denying the possibility of a new novel - it was said from that point on that it may not have been her idea to publish the book.
According to The New York Times, every public statement regarding Harper Lee's new novel has come from her lawyer, Tonja B. Carter, the person responsible for handling Ms. Lee's affairs; it seems that Carter was the one who found the old manuscript and sent it to HarperCollins, supposedly acting through the author's wishes.
However, as The Independent reports, there has been a complaint from someone close to the author, as they have revealed that the fact that Harper Lee's new novel is being published comes mostly because she's been pressured to do so.
In Lee's native Alabama, where the author still resides, authorities have started an investigation: both the Human Resources Department and the Alabama Securities Commission are currently interviewing those closest to Ms. Lee in an attempt to see whether or not she has been a victim of elderly abuse, as it's said that the Pulitzer-winning writer has very developed senile dementia.
For now, Harper Lee's new novel is set to be released on July 14, 2015.
