Harper Lee New Book 2015 Updates: Reese Witherspoon to Narrate 'Go Set a Watchman'

Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon has agreed to be the voice of Scout, and all the other characters for the audiobook version of Harper Lee's much-anticipated novel "Go Set a Watchman".

Withespoon said she feels honored and proud to be the voice of such iconic characters. "As a Southerner, it is an honor and privilege to give voice to the Southern characters who inspired my childhood love of reading, Scout and Atticus Finch," Witherspoon told USA Today.

Witherspoon, 39, has also been involved with other literary projects recently. She produced and starred in the movie "Wild" last year, which is based on a memoir written by American novelist Cheryl Strayed. The actress also had her hands on the big screen adaptation of Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl."

Though this will be Witherspoon's first time to be part of an audiobook, she states that she is "eager for readers to be transported to a pivotal time in American history in the manner that only Harper Lee's gorgeous prose can deliver."

Sean McManus, from the book's publisher Harper, further stated that  "Witherspoon's extraordinary talent and Southern roots make her the perfect narrator," and that the release of "Go Set a Watchman" is the literary event of the year.

A known booklover, Witherspoon is on the lookout for bestselling books that her production company may adapt in the future, reports Instyle magazine. The actress chronicles her love for books on her Instagram account.

Meanwhile, with the impending release of Lee's sequel, it has been reported that the notoriously private author will not be able to publicly promote the book. Lee, 88, currently resides in an assissted living facility in Alabama. 

"Go Set a Watchman" is Lee's sequel to her Pulitzer Prize-winning debut classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," which was published in 1960. The sequel is stated for its release on July 14, 2015 and features a more mature Scout, twenty years after the events in the first book.

The manuscript of "Go Set a Watchman" was written in the mid-1950s and was discovered by the author's lawyer late last year. The manuscript is said to be published without revisions.

The audiobook is also scheduled to be released alongside the novel and both are already available online for pre-order. The physical book's cover, however, has already been released. Many are saying that it captures the feel of Lee's first book. 

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