Beach Music, by Pat Conroy (Preface and Parts 1, 2 and 3)

NOTE:  My Library Book Group is discussing this book over two months.  This discussion guide is for the first half of the book, followed by a prediction/preview of the second half.

Characters
McCall family	Others
Jack McCall Shyla – wife, suicide Leah – daughter Judge Johnson Hagood McCall – father Lucy – mother Dr. John Pitts – Lucy’s second husband Brothers: Dupree Dallas – lawyer with dad’s firm Tee – second youngest John Hardin – youngest, mental problems Paternal grandparents: Silas Ginny Penn The Great Dog Chippie	Shyla Fox’s family: Martha – sister Ruth – mother Father – both parents Holocaust survivors Jack’s high school friends: Leader Middleton Capers Middleton - divorced from Ledare, political ambitions, 2nd wife Betsy Mike Hess – Hollywood produced Jordan Elliott – fugitive, priest in Rome Jordan’s parents: Celestine General Elliott Max Rusoff – Mike’s father, department store owner, mayor of Waterford In Kironittska was apprenticed as child to: Arel the Muscle – blacksmith Mottele the Blade - butcher

For discussion:

1. Jack:
1. What were the positives and negatives of moving with Leah to Italy?  Do you think this was a wise choice?  What would you have done in Jack’s circumstances?
2. Why did the Fox family attack Jack to vehemently?  Could they have handled things differently?  Was it possible for them to get along at that time?
3. When Martha came to visit to try to promote a reconciliation, Jack left her with Leah and went to Venice, even though at that point Leah knew nothing about Shyla’s story or her own background.  Why did Jack trust Martha and do this?   Was this realistic or fair to Leah?

2. Jordan:
1. Why do you think Jordan’s father betrayed him and turned him in?
2. Can you understand the General’s side of the story?   Given his personality, was he able to react any differently?
3. Throughout the first half of the book, Lucy and Max Rusoff’s stories were included.  What do you think the purpose is of these stories?  
4. Regarding Max, do you think the Jews of Kironittska were justified in how they treated Max after he killed to two Cossacks who were violating Anna Singers?
5. What is the purpose of The Great Dog Chippie stories?  Regarding stories in general, Jack said to Leah in the hospital, “Stories don’t have to be true.  They just have to help.”  (Chapter 18) 
6. What did you think of the different reactions when all of the McCall brothers gathered for Lucy’s illness?  Tee was the only brother who showed sadness.  Jack thought about why men are not allowed to cry and decided that, “we die long before women do, with our hearts exploding or our blood pressure rising or our livers eaten away by alcohol because that lake of grief inside us has no outlet.”  (end of Chapter 14)
7. Dallas explained why he stayed in his father’s law practice by telling Jack, “You may not have noticed, but our father’s a tragic man.”  (beginning of Chapter 15)   Do you agree or not?  Can you see him in that light?
8. Are any parents depicted in a positive light?
9. What did you think about Mike’s movie plans?  What is his motive?  Why did Ledare agree to work on the movie? 
10. How do you think the story will end?

If you have only read the first half of the book:

In chapter 20 Jack said to Leah that, “All life connects…. Nothing happens that is meaningless.”  How do you think everything will connect together at the end of the book?

What questions do you hope to have answered in the second half of the book?

If you have already completed the book:

What surprises are in store for the reader in the second half?

What seems important in the first half that will not be important to the final story?

*****

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, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

The Invoice, by Jonas Karlsson

REVIEW: This is an unusual, charming book that makes you think about your life and happiness in general.  At first I was not sure what to think about the book but I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading to see what would happen at the end.  As I read I realized it is an extremely thoughtful book dealing with a subject we hopefully experience every day but probably don’t stop to think about.  It is an easy, fast read and one that you will remember and ponder long after finishing.  The novel is a great selection for book clubs – I can hardly wait for the discussion with my group!  I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for this review. 

Characters

Narrator Sunita – girlfriend, moved to India for an arranged marriage Roger – friend World Resources Distribution (WRD) – headquarters in Sweden Maud Andersson – telephone operator Georg Various other supervisors Quantity of Experienced Happiness (EH)

 For discussion:

NOTE: Chapter numbers refer to the unedited proof copy.

1. Why do you think the author never told the reader the narrator’s name?
2. In chapter 9 the narrator compares his and his sister’s grieving for their parents.  Why does he feel suddenly guilty that he did not mourned enough?
3. This book explores the idea of being happy.  What thoughts did you have about the following:
1. Chapter 6 – what difference does being rich make in happiness?
2. Chapter 8 – the narrator reflects that he was, “…undeservedly happy with my tranquil existence here in my flat.”  Do we deserve to be happy or not?  Could you understand his feeling that he did not deserve the happiness he had?
3. Chapter 9 – some negative times are necessary to appreciate the happy times.
4. Chapter 11 – Georg told the narrator that high EH correlates with family wealth or motivation to work and have high earnings.  Do you agree?
5. Chapter 11 – When Maud was reviewing his file, she listed the “premiums” he had – “…welfare premium, whiteness premium, male premium…”    What other “premiums” do you think contribute to happiness?  To your happiness?
6. Chapter 20 – Maud told the narrator, “You see, we look at life as if it were a classically constructed play.  The one with the most whistles and bells isn’t necessarily the best.”    Do you agree?
7. Chapter 20 – “People are extremely unhappy.”   Do you agree?  Are many people putting on a false front?  
4. The narrator described a scene from the movie The Bridge to Maud, but after she watched it she had a completely different viewing experience and understanding of the scene.  How does that happen?
5. Roger’s bill was much less than the narrator’s even though he had more possessions.   Discuss their different perceptions of life.  Examine Roger’s reaction to his boat’s damage and improvement at the expense of others and how he still thought it was a negative experience.
6. Why wouldn’t the narrator help Roger with his appeal of his bill?  What do you think his motivations were?
7. When the narrator went back to this apartment after the first interview at EH headquarters, why was he suddenly so dissatisfied with his life? (Chapter 16)
8. What did you think about his sudden regret that he had done nothing with his life?  He said to Maud, “That’s the saddest thing of all.  I had every opportunity, but what the hell have I done?  Nothing. Nada. Not a damn thing.”  (Chapter 16) Was he justified in these thoughts?   Did the fact that he was so happy make a difference?
9. In Chapter 15 the narrator was missing his parents and wanted to call them to, “…have a bit of a moan, and they would have listened carefully with the phone between them, and they’d have comforted me and said everything would be all right.”  Can you relate both as a child and as a parent?
10. There were very few characters in this novel.  Discuss Maud in particular.  What did you think about her character and how her relationship with the narrator changed?
11. What new thoughts or insights did you gain from this book?   Would you recommend it to others?  Are there some people to whom you would NOT recommend the book?  Does it require a certain amount of self-awareness or depth of thought to appreciate this book?

*****

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, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom

Characters
The Kitchen House	Tall Oaks	Slave Quarters
Lavinia McCarten (Abinia) – indentured to Captain Pyke to pay for passage - parents died on ship from Ireland except for brother Cardigan – brother – indentured to pay for passage – died Belle – daughter of Captain Pyke Jamie Pyke – son after rape by Marshall Mama Mae Papa George Uncle Jacob Ben Fanny Beattie Beattie – 3 children with Marshall Dory Henry – son – died Sukey - daughter	Captain James Pyke Martha – second wife Marshall – son Sally - daughter – died Campbell – baby Mrs. Pyke – Belle’s grandmother – educated her as a white girl Mr. Waters – tutor Isabelle – Martha’s younger sister – died Rankin – overseer Will Stephens – overseer Martha – wife Williamsburg: Sarah Madden – Martha’s sister Husband - lawyer Meg – daughter Mr. Boran – Mr. Madden’s law partner – wants to marry Lavinia	Jimmy – married Dory Ida – Jimmy’s mother Lucy – married Ben Three sons

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers refer to the paperback edition.

1. Given the time period, was there any better solution for Lavinia other than Captain Pyke bringing her home with him as an indentured servant?
2. How was Belle able to accept her position, knowing she was Captain Pyke’s daughter and was educated and yet was considered a slave?   Do you think Marshall should have figured out the relationship between Belle and his father?  Why didn’t anyone tell him?
3. Why did Martha not give Belle the papers granting her freedom right away?
4. All of the slaves knew that Mr. Waters was abusing Marshall.   Was there something else they could have done sooner?   Could his mother have known if she was paying more attention to him?  How do you think the abuse affected him throughout his life?
5. How many choices did Lavinia have in her life?  Could she have said ‘no’ to Mr. Boran’s marriage proposal?   Why do you think Mrs. Madden encouraged the marriage?
6. Discuss Lavinia experiencing both the white and slave environments.  How hard do you think it was to transition to the perspective of the white mistress after she married Marshall?
7. Can you understand Lavinia’s resentment of Beattie having relations with Marshall?  Did Lavinia really understand Beattie’s position?
8. When Mr. Madden turned down Lavinia’s request to go back with the family to Williamsburg, she withdrew and started taking laudanum.  Bell criticized her and said, “Course, she actin’ just like a white woman, just give up, sittin’ in her room.” (page 308).  What else could Lavinia have done?
9. Discuss Jamie, Belle and Marshall’s son.  He thought he was white, even though the law would consider him a Negro.  How do you think he felt when told the truth?  How do you think he should have been raised?
10. Discuss the organization of the book.  Did you find it confusing or interesting?  Did you like the way the author started off with the ending and then led up to it throughout the book?  Did you like the fact that she led the reader to believe that it was Belle who was hanged?
11. Did this book give you any new insights into this time period in our country? 

*****

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, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline

Characters
Molly – 2011	Niamh > Dorothy > Vivian  - 1929 and forward
Molly – in Foster Care System – Penobscot Indian Dina and Ralph – Foster parents in 2011 Jack – boyfriend Terry – mother, Vivian’s housekeeper	Parents Dominick and James - brothers Maisie – baby sister Mr. and Mrs. Schatzman – New York neighbors Children’s Aid Society – Mr. Sorenson Train: Mrs. Scatherd Mr. Curran Carmine Hans > Dutchy > Luke Maynard – first husband Mr. and Mrs. Byrne – foster parents in Minnesota – sewing factory in home – employed Fanny and other girls Wilma and Gerald Grote – Minnesota, 1930 School: Miss. Larsen – teacher Mr. Post – driver, handyman Mrs. Murphy – Miss Larson’s landlady Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen – own general store Vivian – daughter who died Jim Daly – second husband Sarah Dunnell – daughter – born 1943, given for adoption

 For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition of book.  Also, I used the name Niamh went by during the time period of each question.

1. At the time this book was written the state of Maine, where Molly lived, was the only state required to teach Native American Culture and history.  Were you aware of this?  Why didn’t the other states do so?
2. Molly’s assignment to interview someone about their “portaging” experience was the start of her interest in Vivian’s story.  What have been your portaging experiences?    What are one or more things you take with you when you travel or move?
3. In the American History class discussion, Molly reveals that she is a Penobscot Indian and compares the Native America Indian’s experience to those of the Irish under the British rule.  Do you think this was a valid comparison?
4. Molly’s task at Vivian’s was to help her clean out the attic.  Instead they just reorganized everything.  Molly thought that maybe “…the value is in the process – in touching each item, in naming and identifying, in acknowledging the significance…”  (page 173) Do you agree?  How do you think their apparent lack of progress was viewed by others who might eventually have to clean out the attic?
5. Do you think the Schwartzman’s were justified in lying about Maisie’s death and adopting her after they sent Niamh away?
6. Were you surprised that there was not more care in the children’s placement.  Mr. Sorenson seemed surprised that the Byrne’s had no intention of adopting Dorothy and it seemed obvious that placement with the Grote’s was not positive environment.
7. When Vivian was grown she thought, “…when I begin to wear makeup, I have a revelation.  I’ve viewed my life until now as a series of unrelated adaptations.”  But then she realized, “I can determine my own next incarnation.” (Page 204)  Is this always true?  Do we have the power within us to be whatever we decide?   Is this also true of Molly?
8. Did you think is was realistic that Vivian could manage and improve the Nielson’s store so easily given her background, education and lack of retail experience?
9. Vivian did not have a very positive impression of the ending of The Wizard of Oz.  “Back on the farm, her life stretches ahead to the flat horizon line, already populated with the only characters she’ll every know.”  (Page 223)   Can you understand this interpretation?  What was your first experience seeing the movie?
10. Was Dutchy and Vivian’s meeting in Minneapolis just a little too convenient? 
11. Were you surprised that Vivian gave her baby away?  Do you think it was the right thing for her do to?  Can you understand her motives?
12. In 1929, was there a better solution for taking care of the orphaned children rather than the Orphan Trains?
13. Do you think it was right for the Nielson’s to ask Dorothy to change her name to that of their deceased daughter?  Was this a compliment to Dorothy?
14. How important is your name to you?  How do you think changing your name would or would not change who you are?

*****
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, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Boys Among Men, by Jonathan Abrams

Review:  “Two generations of readers”

I chose this book because my 16-year-old grandson is interested in LeBron James. Even though I know nothing about basketball (and therefore had a difficult time keeping the players, coaches, scouts, teams and dates straight) I thought the book was very interesting.  As an educator I found the author’s examination of the factors that influenced those players who thrived and those who did not fairly comprehensive, although I thought interviews with those in both circumstances would have added to the depth of the book.  My grandson, an avid sports fan with lots of background knowledge, easily followed the people, dates and careers.  The book combined his interests in basketball, athletic career paths and the business behind the scenes.  He would recommend this book to people interested in any of these aspects of basketball.    I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this review.

Players who went from high school to NBA (Dates are United States playing careers)

Darryl Dawkins 1976 – 1990: did not live up to expectations

Bill Willoughby 1976 – 1984: not successful in NBA – not ready – agent stole his money

Moses Malone 1976 -1995: 3 times league MVP

Kevin Garnett 1995 – present: 2004 MVP, talent showed when playing game but not when working out individually - $126 million contact with Minnesota

Kobe Bryant 1996 – 2016: father, Joe, former NBA player, 2008 league MVP, entire career with LA Lakers – advisor Sonny Vaccaro – sponsorship deal with Adidas

Tracy McGrady 1997 – 2013: $12 million contract with Adidas – first in Toronto, then signed with Orlando Magic for $67.5 million

Amar’e Stoudemire 2002 – present: Phoenix Suns - first high school draftee to win Rookie of the Year

Al Harrington 1998 – 2014: 25th pick by Indiana Pacers – had good mentoring

Korleone Young 1998 – 1999: 2nd round pick Detroit Pistons - mentor Myron  Piggie Sr, employed by Nike – never successful in NBA

Rashard Lewis 1998 2014: 3rd pick in 2nd round by Seattle – signed with Orlando in 2007 for $118 million

Leon Smith 1999 – 2004: Dallas Mavericks – never  successful in NBA

Tyson Chandler 2001 – present: Chicago Bulls –came close to reaching potential after years of struggle

Eddie Curry 2001 – 2012: Chicago Bulls – did not reach expected potential

Kwame Brown 2001 – 2013: Washington Wizards - First player out of high school to be drafted #1 overall but disappointment as a player – 2005 traded to LA Lakers – had a career into his 30s but never to star he was predicted to be

Lenny Cooke 2002 – not drafted – 2004 injured in car accident

Sebastian Telfair 2004 – 2013 - did not reach expected success

LeBron James 2003 – present: Cleveland Cavaliers - dominated over Cooke in 2001 ABCD Camp – on cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school junior - $90 million from Nike over 7 years – Rookie of the Year

Ndudi Ebi, Kendrick Perkins, Travis Outlaw, James Lang – all drafted 2003 with James – none were successful

2004 Draft – 8 out of first 19 picks came directly from high school Dwight Howard 2004 – present: 1st pick Robert Swift 2004 – 2009: 12th pick, only white player drafted from high school J. R. Smith 2004 – present: 18th pick Other five were not successful

For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers refer to the hardback edition of the book.

1. Before reading this book, what was your opinion of high school graduates playing in the NBA?  Did your opinion change after reading?  Why or why not?

2. What were the important character qualities that enabled high school graduates to be successful in the NBA?  Are these similar or different than those needed to be successful in life?

3. What would the players have learned or developed if they had attended college?

4. In Chapter 13 the story of Leon Smith and his lack of success provided a cautionary tale regarding drafting high school students.  Smith’s childhood was particularly painful and the author wrote, “…anyone could spot the root of his pain as the lack of ever feeling loved” (page 150) and that he “had little clue as to the effort and diligent work needed …” (page 153).  In the end, who was responsible for his downfall?  Was there anything that could have been done differently to save him? 

5. In general, were there any warning signs to distinguish who could succeed in the NBA directly out of high school and who could not?

6. Discuss the incident on November 19, 2004 when a fan threw a coke on Indiana’s Ron Artest and he went into the stands after the person.  How, if anything, could this have been prevented?

7. In June 2005 the NBA raised the minimum age from 18 to 19 and required a player be out of high school for at least one year before being drafter.  Do you think the one year delay was effective?  Is there a difference between that one year being spent in college compared to playing overseas?

8. One argument to allow players to be drafted right out of high school is that they will have that much more earning time, especially given how short their careers are.  Do you agree or not?  Why?

9. On page 301 a retiring NBA player asked, “You invest millions of dollars into these players.  Why aren’t you doing a better job of positioning these players to be successful?”   What could the teams and the league do to help the young players?

10. What does the author mean on page 266 when he writes the following:  Rod Higgins, a general manager said, “For every success story, you probably could write a horror story.”   The author responded, “They were wrong.  You cannot.”

11. The last line in the Author’s Acknowledgements says that his newborn son will go to college for “all four years.”  Do you think he will change his mind if his son is a basketball prodigy?

*****
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, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

The Shoemaker's Wife, by Adriana Trigiani

Characters
Italy	America
Marco and Giacomina Ravanelli Enza Battista and Vittorio – brothers Eliana and Alma – sisters Stella – youngest sister who died   Caterina Lazzari Ciro Eduardo   Sister Teresa - Sisters of San Nicola Ignazio Farino   Don Gregorio – priest Concetta Martocci	Ciro – apprentice to Remo Enza – seamstress Son – Antonio   Marco – working in mines and out west   Remo and Carla Zanetti – shoemaker   Luigi Latini – friend Ciro met on ship, apprentice to Remo Pappina – Luigi’s girlfriend and wife Angela - daughter     Buffa family – distant cousins of Giacomina Anna and 3 daughters   Laura Heery – Enza’s friend – blouse factory   Serafina Ramunn – Metropolitan Opera House   Enrico Caruso   Vito Blazek – Publicity director for Met   Colin Chapin – Accountant at Met

For discussion:

NOTE: page numbers are from the hardback edition of book

1. When Ciro was offered the job in the ship’s boiler room by the bursar, Massimo Zito, he bargained for a much higher pay.  Do you think he was sophisticated enough at that point to do that?

2. When Luigi and Ciro landed in American the author wrote that they, “…came face to face with the engine of American life: You work and then you spend.” (page 136) Is this a true assessment of America at that time?

3. On page 164 the author described Carla Zanetti and a “snob” and wrote that she was reinventing herself and looked down on fellow Italian immigrants.  Do you think this was common as some immigrants were able to be more successful than others?

4. The scullery job that Enza and Laura took turned out to be a turning point for them (page 238).    On page 209 Ciro questioned, “But really, are there accidents?  Or does fate determine time and place and opportunity?”   What do you think?

5. From reading this book, how would you evaluate America’s welcome of immigrants before the first World War?  When Ciro and Luigi were talking with a young man entering the service they felt, “the slight judgement that said immigrants were a necessary fact of life, one that must be tolerated but never truly accepted.”  (page 216)  

6. Did you think it was fair that Enza sent all her money back to Italy? 

7. When Enza left the Buffa home it was understandable that the Buffa family would insult her.  But why did the neighbors join in?  (page 226)

8. Ciro learned two lessons during the war: “that good men can’t fix what evil men are intent on destroying” and “a soldier could not count on anything – his commanding officer, his fellow infantrymen, his country, or the weather.  He only had luck, or didn’t.”  (page 304)   Do you agree?

9. When Eduardo joined the priesthood he was expected to give up all contact with his family.  Is this still the practice?  Did you think this was necessary?

10. This book was written in 2012.  What did you think about the author including the misconduct by Don Gregorio in the novel? 

11. When Enza learned that Vito Blazek had three wives she felt that she was lucky that she had avoided being married to him as his first wife.  Is it possible that Vito would have remained happily and faithfully married to Enza if she has not cancelled her marriage?

12. Do you blame Caterina for leaving her sons at the convent?  Did she have any other choices?

13. How was Luigi leaving Angela with Enza different from Caterina leaving her sons?

14. The importance of music was a theme that ran through this book (Enrico Caruso, the Opera, Angela’s singing voice).  Were you able to relate to that? 

15. What did you think of the chapter titles?  They referred to one small item in each chapter.  Would you have changed them?

16. Discuss your reading experience.  How many Kleenex (if any) did you use??  Did you learn anything from reading this book?

*****

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, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

 

A Fifty-year Silence, by Miranda Richmond Mouillot

REVIEW:  My favorite part of this book was the postscript.  The author’s reflections and final conclusions were very moving.  I also learned a lot from this book about the effects of the Holocaust on the Jewish people then and now as well as the aging process in general and the relationship between grandparent and grandchild.   It made me think differently about one’s heritage and how it forms you as a child and adult.  But did I enjoy the book?   That is a difficult question.  It was tough at times to read and also at times I got bogged down in Miranda’s story and the house in Alba.  I wanted to know the reason for the fifty-year silence and so I kept going.   In the end I am very glad I read the book and I keep thinking about it.  So I will recommend it to others, particularly book groups.  It will lead to a very interesting and insightful discussion.   I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for this review. 

People
1937-1946	Current
Armand Jacoubovitch – interpreter at Nuremburg Trials Anna Munster - doctor Alma – Anna’s sister Erna – Austrian refugee, escaped with Armand and Anna Madame Flamand Dr. Joseph Angirany – Supervisor at sanatorium in Hauteville	Miranda – granddaughter and author Julian – husband Estelle Anna - daughter Robert Richmond and Kathleen Mavournin – father and stepmother Ileana Grams-Moog and Robert Moog (Abah) – mother and stepfather

For discussion:

NOTE – Page numbers are from the paperback edition.

1. Miranda wrote about how her grandmother was planning her life.  Do you really think so or was that just how things played out?

2. What was the significance of the dish from Aubette?  Why do you think Anna kept it for so long?

3. On page 209 the author wrote about how Armand and Anna’s paths differed once they were separated and she made the point that they both had positive and negative aspects of their lives that they could dwell on.  She wrote, “If their fortunes differed, it was likely because my grandmother had taken her stubborn high spirits with her when they parted ways.”  How much impact does your positive or negative view of the world have on your life?

4. How did you think the author was subconsciously affected by her family’s and her nationality’s past history?  Is that possible if no one in the family discussed it with her?

5. What do you think will happen to the author’s daughter, Estella?  Will she have the same experiences?

6. What was the effect of the Nuremburg Trials on Armand?  Could he have handled them any differently?   Do you think it was fair to ask him to perform that task?

7. Did your idea of Armand change as you read the book and understood what he had done at Nuremburg?

8. Why do you think Armand and Anna never spoke but never divorced?  On page 211 the author wrote, “Maybe that’s why they couldn’t let go of each other: they each held within themselves the memory of who the other person was before the war made them remarkable in ways they  had not chosen.”

*Also consider the following:

>Page 258 regarding the effect of the trials: “My grandfather’s personality could not withstand it.  He hardened around that knowledge, and his hardness cut my grandmother to the quick.”

>Page 259: She could love a man with whom she had been through so much, but she could not let him drag her down into an existence devoted to remembering."

9. Discuss your reading experience.  Did you like the book?  Would you have liked it to move differently?  Was the ending and explanation of Armand and Anna worth the time it took you to get there?  Did you learn anything?

*****

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, wordassociaiton.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.