Harper Lee has objected against the speculation that at the age of 88, she was duped into releasing her upcoming work, Go Set a Watchman, fifty years after the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird. After the author announced that she would be releasing the “long lost” novel, the internet was flooded with speculation.

The concern seems to be that Lee, who suffered a serious stroke in 2007 and tends to shy away from public appearances, may not be in a fit state to make business agreements. Naturally, the author did not take kindly to the rumours.

In an interview with the New York Times, Ms Lee's lawyer and friend Tonja Carter made sure to dispel the gossip.

"She is a very strong, independent and wise woman, who should be enjoying the discovery of her long lost novel,” Ms Carter said. “Instead, she is having to defend her own credibility and decision making.”

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That’s a valid point there. Apparently, it was Carter, who discovered the manuscript about a year ago. She explained that her client was “hurt and humiliated” by the criticism. Last week, a statement in Ms Lee's name was released by her lawyers. “I’m alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to ‘Watchman’," it read.