The Mapmaker's Children, by Sarah McCloy

REVIEW: This is a very interesting book, particularly with the combination of historical fiction and pure fiction and the way they intersected many times throughout the story.  I also found it interesting that the two female characters from different centuries, Sarah and Eden, both had to deal with infertility, the impact that had on their lives during each time period, and the way they both fashioned a satisfying and worthwhile life.  The story was told very creatively and effectively using narrative, newspaper articles, legal documents and letters.  This is a very enjoyable, well-researched and well-written book.  I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my review.

 

Characters
1859 Note: These people are historical figures	2014
John Brown – abolitionist Mary – second wife Sarah – daughter Annie – older sister Ellen – younger sister Other siblings: Owen – half brother Ruth – oldest daughter Oliver – deceased son Martha – Oliver’s wife, also deceased   George Hill - abolitionist Freddy  - son Ruth – wife  Pricilla - wife Alice – daughter, mentally slow   Siby Fisher – free black, housekeeper and cook Hannah and Clyde –  younger siblings	Jack Anderson Eden Norton Denny – Eden’s brother Cricket – dog   Cleo – neighbor Mr. Bronner – Cleo’s grandfather   Ms. Silverdash – historian, book store owner   Morris Milton Matt – son – Morris’ cafe Mack – son – Milton’s market   Vee Niles – appraiser

 

For discussion:
NOTE: The page numbers are from the hardback edition of the book.

1. What parallels did you find between Sarah and Eden?  Given that they lived in two different time periods, how were they the same?  How did the issue of infertility affect their lives and how did they overcome it?
2. On page 33 Eden introduces the idea of pictographs when examining the doll head.  Did you think it was realistic that she would think about that or was this idea forced?
3. Discuss Eden and Jack's relationship.  Is it a realistic portrayal of the struggle many couples go through when having trouble conceiving?
4. Did you think Sarah should have told Freddy why she would not marry him?  Was her response typical of the time period?
5. After Brown was executed, Mary's stuttering disappeared (page 102).  Why do you think this happened?
6. Discuss Siby and her relationship with the Hill family.  When thinking about the complexity of the war against slavery from all perspectives, Sarah reflects that her father was disappointed in the few slaves that joined him at Harper's Ferry.  On page 55 she thought, "The problem was, freed or slave, they all had ties to while families...It was a weighty decision for them to lift a spear against people they'd lived beside all their days."  Did the book give a realistic view of slavery?  Did you learn anything about the issue?
7. Did you find the fictional characters believable?  Which was your favorite?  Why?
8. Were you surprised about the outpouring of sympathy and food when Cricket died?  Did you feel that the reaction was extravagant for a pet?  Would your reading be influenced by whether or not you are a pet owner?
9. About 2/3 of the way through I finished Eden's story, then read the Author's Note, and then Sarah's story.  I thought this added to my reading experience.  What was your reading experience?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.

 

 

 

 

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

This year my library book group is having a "Steinbeck Summer."  This is the first of four works we are reading and discussing.

Characters

George Milton Lennie Small   Aunt Clara   Curley wife   Slim Carlson   Candy – wants to go in with George and Lennie to buy farm   Crooks – stable buck, crippled   Suzy and Clara – ran two brothels in town

 

For discussion:

1. Why did Steinbeck never give Curley's wife a name?
2. Why do you think George took care of Lennie and protected him?  Was there something George could have done to help Lennie more?
3. What did you think was wrong with Lennie?
4. What would happen to Lennie in today's world?
5. Why, in the end, did George kill Lennie?
6. How well did Steinbeck develop the characters?  Which did you understand the best?  Which was the most likeable?  The least?
7. This novella is on the High School English Advanced Placement summer reading list.  Why?  What do you think today's students will learn from this book?
8. Was there any character or event you particularly related to?  Why?
9. The various themes mentioned as being addressed in this book are friendship, racism, loneliness and prejudice against the mentally ill.  How well did Steinbeck address these issues?  How might the novella help readers view these themes differently?
10. This novella was written in 1937.  Why it is considered a classic?  How does it relate to today's society?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.