The Scene in Maycomb

“Wayne Flynt, a professor emeritus at nearby Auburn University, dismissed what he called ‘the conspiracy theory’ about the new novel, and said that Harper Lee ‘obviously isn’t demented.’ He said that he visits with the author every month, and that he saw her the day before ‘Go Set a Watchman’ was announced, though curiously she never mentioned it. Lee, Flynt said, has ‘always had a lover’s quarrel with Monroeville,’ and he suggested that some of the town’s response has more to do with that than any concern for her wellbeing. ‘I’m absolutely astounded by what I’m hearing from down there,’ he said.” — Awl pal Casey Cep visits Monroeville, Alabama.