A Visit from the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan

Chapter and Year	Characters
Chapter 1	Sasha – 35 years old Coz - therapist Alex – date Bennie Salazar – record producer ·         Stephanie – wife – divorced ·         Christopher - son
Chapter 2 2006	Bennie – 44 Chris – 9 Sasha Stop/Go Sisters
Chapter 3 1979 High School	Rhea – narrator Scotty Bennie Jocelyn Lou – adult man in LA – picked up Jocelyn hitchhiking
Chapter 4 1973 Safari	Lou – 6 kids – record producer Mindy – 23 – girlfriend – studying for Ph.D. in Anthropology, will marry Lou Rolph – son – 11 Charlie – 14 – daughter Joe – grandson of warrior who flirted with Charlie Cora – travel agent Albert – local driver Chronos – attacked by lion when leaves tour car
Chapter 5 1999	Jocelyn – narrator Rhea – 43 Lou – 2 strokes
Chapter 6 1997	Scotty – narrator – takes dead fish to Bennie Bennie
Chapter 7 2003 - 2004	Stephanie Bennie – 42 Chris – kindergarten La Doll – owner of PR agency where Stephanie works Jules Jones – Stephanie’s brother – ex con – attempted rape of Kitty Jackson
Chapter 8 2009	Dolly – formally La Doll Lulu – 9 – daughter The General Arc – General’s human relations captain Kitty Jackson – 28
Chapter 9 1999	Kitty Jackson Jules Jones
Chapter 10	Rob – narrator – drowned swimming in river with Drew Drew Sasha – 21 – freshman
Chapter 11	Sasha – 19 -  disappeared two years ago Ted Hollander – Sasha’s uncle – looking for Sasha in Napes, Italy Susan – Ted’s wife Beth – Sasha’s mother Hammer – Beth’s second husband
Chapter 12 202_ Power Point	Sasha Drew - doctor Alison Blake – 12 – Sasha and Drew’s daughter Lincoln – 13 – obsessed with pauses in rock songs
Chapter 13 2020+	Bennie – late 50’s Lupa – wife Ava - daughter Alex – Sasha’s date from chapter 1 Rebecca – wife Cara – daughter Scotty Hausmann – singer – chapter 6 Lulu – Bennie’s assistant – early 20s –chapter 8 Joe – Lulu’s fiancé – from Kenya – chapter 4 “Pointers” – children - anyone could download music who could point Starfish or Kiddie Handsets – used by toddlers to download music

 

For discussion:

1. Discuss the various characters.  Who did you like, dislike? 

2. Discuss La Doll’s New Year’s Eve party, The Party or the List, where she tried to rival Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball.  Did you find it interesting that years later people where burning themselves in order to make it appear that they had been there?
1. Could the hot oil have been symbolic of something?

3. Did you like the way the writer would tell what would happen to a character far into the future?

4. In the last chapter which predicted the future, what was the “water wall” that caused an early sunset?

5. In the last chapter, Alex and Rebecca’s view from their window was being obstructed by a new high rise.    Is the author sending a message?

6. What do you think about the author’s prediction about the future of the entertainment industry as well as our use of electronics and media?
1. Strollers prohibited at all public gatherings – hampered evacuation
2. Constant helicopters overhead
3. The use of texting and texting language
4. Alison creating a power point show and considering that writing

7. What is the significance of the title?

8. Think about your reading experience with this book:
1. Were you able to keep the characters straight?
2. Did you like how an early minor character (Joe, Scotty) became important later in the book?
3. How hard did you have to work to keep the time line straight?  Would it have added or detracted from your enjoyment if the author had been more direct?

9. This book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction as well as other numerous awards.  Do you think the honors were deserved?

State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett

Characters
Minnesota	Brazil, Amazon River
Vogel Labs Mr. Jim Fox - CEO Marina Singh – student of Dr. Swenson’s Anders Eckman Karen – wife Three sons	Lakashi Tribe – females able to reproduce until end of life Dr. Swenson – 70 years old, studying fertility, Dr. Rapp’s mistress Bovenders Barbara – writer Jackie – surfer Milton Rodrigo – brother-in-law, store owner Easter Dr. Martin Rapp – Harvard ethnobotanist, deceased 9 years when Mariana arrives Dr. Thomas Nkomo – studying malaria Dr. Alan Saturn – student of Dr. Rapp’s, studying malaria Dr. Nancy Saturn – Alan’s wife and possibly former student, botanist Dr. Budi – Studying malaria Benoit – attended missionary school as child, wants to work in tourism Rapp mushrooms – hallucinogenic, pale blue Martins – trees, prolongs fertility and prevents malaria Purple Martinet – moth – goes into wound of tree, eats and then excretes Fertility is from combination of tree and martinet

For discussion:

1.       Review the incident when Mariana delivered the baby because Dr. Swenson did not come when paged.   She accidentally blinded and scarred the baby.  Who do you think was at fault?  Why?

2.       Were you surprised that Dr. Swenson did not remember Mariana?

3.       Do you think Mr. Fox was correct to want Mariana to stay after she found Dr. Swenson and confirmed that she was still working on the drug? 

4.       On page 143 of the hardback, Dr. Swenson states, “None of us know how life will work out, Dr. Singh.”   Has this been true in your own life?

5.       Were you surprised that Dr. Swenson was pregnant?  There were several hints throughout the book:

a.       Page 159 of hardback – on the boat Dr. Swenson was “panting lightly as if making an effort not to vomit.”

b.      Page 167 – “She was thicker around the middle than she had been in Baltimore.” (Mariana of Dr. Swenson)

c.       Page 167 – “From all I know about the body this is still not what I expected.” (Dr. Swenson)

6.       Review the incident at the beginning of Dr. Swenson’s time in the Amazon when she treated a girl who had been cut on her head by her brother.  After that people started to come to her for medical treatment and she felt this hindered her research.  She stated that was a mistake to intervene, that she should have let their world progress as if she was not there.  Do you agree?

7.       Discuss how Dr. Swenson used compliments – not to build up the person being complimented but to knock down another who was not complimented.  Have you ever met anyone like this?  Do you think Dr. Swenson would have been able to accomplish as much as she did if she had treated people more kindly?

8.       Consider Marina’s dreams of her father.  How do these memories affect her current situation?

9.       Anders wanted to take Easter to the United States to live with his family.  How do you think this would have worked out?

10.   Why did Dr. Swenson say that Anders was dead when she did not know for sure?  What did happen to Anders?

11.   Was it ethical to have Vogel Labs pay for all of the science when they only thought they were paying for the fertility drug?

12.   Was it right for Mariana to trade Easter for Anders?  Was it right for Dr. Swenson to keep Easter in the first place?

13.   What do you think happened to Easter?  Did he find his way back to Dr. Swenson?

14.   Do you think Mariana will go back as Dr. Swenson predicted?

The Narcissism Epidemic, by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D. and W. Keith Campbell, Ph.D.

Overview of Book

The Diagnosis of Narcissism: We have confused narcissism and self-esteem Those with high self-esteem value relationships with others Narcissists only value themselves, not others American culture is becoming more focused on self-admiration Narcissism is counter to success: Narcissists cannot take criticism or learn from mistakes They lack motivation to improve because they believe they are already on top They are over-confident, therefore there is no need to prepare Narcissists do better at individual activities than group activities

The Causes of Narcissism: Parenting Media and the idea of celebrity The Internet –  Facebook and Blogs Having your own blog, Facebook page etc. reinforces narcissism On Facebook, individual can redesign and promote themselves Addictive Can post private thoughts and moments Internet’s reach is wide ranging Easy credit – I deserve the best

The Symptoms of Narcissism Vanity Attractive physical appearance promoted by media and television Materialism Uniqueness Trend toward unique names for children Antisocial Behavior Fights broadcast on You Tube Mass killings considered way to achieve fame Poor manners many times are the norm – feel no need to be nice to others Disregard for grammar and spelling         Relationship Troubles Entitlement Other people’s needs are not as important as yours Religion and Volunteering Religion - change in focus Volunteering - mandatory in many high schools, improve college application, "I want to make a difference."

The Treatment of Narcissism: Parenting – Say no Don’t give children too much power over family decisions Examine messages about competition – let kids fail sometimes Don’t buy clothing and other items that announce how great your child is Teach child empathy and compassion Media and the quest for celebrity Screen shows and don’t allow those that promote narcissism Anti-social behavior Do not “reward” antisocial behavior with attention via the media Recognize honor and integrity Consciously  work on qualities of humility, mindfulness, compassion and connectedness Change core values

For discussion:

1. Do you agree with the authors’ assessment of narcissism as a disease in America?
1. What is the difference between narcissism and positive self-esteem?

2. Do you think Mr. Rogers promoted narcissism with the idea that “You are special?
1. How does this relate to the statement by Margaret Mead, "Always remember that you are absolutely unique.  Just like everyone else."

3. What television shows currently promote the “disease” of narcissism?
1. What examples of well-rounded, emotionally positive people are there in the media?

4. How have the media and television promoted the idea that we all should look young, beautiful and perfect?
1. How does this relate to the trend in obituary photographs that show the deceased as a much younger person?

5. What examples have you encountered of narcissistic behavior?

6. Discuss religion’s and volunteerism’s role in narcissism, both the symptoms and treatment.

7. Is there a way that we all are narcissistic?

8. In the last chapter the author’s recommend that we change America’s core values.  What do you think are our current core values?  Should they be changed?  How could this be accomplished?

Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen

Characters etc.:

Berglunds

            Walter

            Patty - parents Joyce and Ray, sister Abigail

            Jessica

            Joey

            Dorothy – Walter’s mother

Richard Katz

Monaghans

            Carol

            Connie - eventually married to Joey Berglund

            Blake

Eliza - Patty's college roommate - lied and said she had leukemia

Lalitha - Walter's assistant

Jonathan - Joey's college roommate, sister Jenna

House on Nameless Lake

Linda Hoffbauer - lived in Canterbridge Estates Lake, cat Bobby

Cerulean Mountain Trust

            Van Halen

            Carol Zorn – campaigned against Cerulean Mountain Trust

Forster Hollow

            Cole Mathis – lived in Forster Hollow

Mistakes Were Made - Patty's autobiography

For discussion:

1. Discuss Patty's childhood.  How did that influence her adult life? 

2. Discuss Walter’s childhood and how it influenced his adult life.

3. Discuss Richard and Walter’s friendship.  Franzen wrote, “Intellectually Walter was definitely the big brother and Richard was his follower.”  Also, “He (Walter) could never shake the feeling that Richard was hiding stuff from him; that there was a dark side of him always going off in the night to pursue motives he wouldn’t admit to, that he was happy to be friends with Walter as long as it was understood that he was the top dog.”  (page 135, hardback)

4. Discuss the relationships among Walter, Richard and Patty.  Consider each pair – Richard and Walter, Richard and Patty.   How did the relationships evolve over the years?

5. Discuss Richard and his reaction to success. 

6. Discuss the family dynamics in the Berglund family?  Was the discord inevitable?

7. The neighbors, particularly Seth and Merrie Paulson were surprised at how unaware Patty was of what was happening with Joey and Connie.  At one point Seth stated, “I think it’s a mistake to take pleasure in a fellow parent’s ignorance.  It’s tempting fate, don’t you think?”  (page 13, hardback)  Do you agree with this statement?  Can you relate to it?

8. Did you like the background of current politics in the novel?  Did it add to your enjoyment of the novel?

9. Discuss Connie and Joey's relationship.

10. How would you explain Patty’s college roommate, Eliza?  Why did she lie and say she had leukemia?  Do you think Patty really wanted to know the truth?

11. Do you think the Cerulean Mountain Trust was justified in all that it did in order to save one bird from becoming extinct?

12. What parts of this novel do you think represented real life?  Did the author address any issues or life situations that future generations will identify with?  Explain.

13. Do you think this novel will become one of our modern day “classics?”  Why or why not?

14. What is the significance of the title "Freedom?"  What statement is the author making?

15. Who was your favorite character?  Favorite scene in the book?

The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake

Characters:

Iris James - Postmaster

Harry Vale – mechanic, nightly patrolled coastline for Germans

Frankie Bard – radio gal

Harriett Mendelsohn –Frankie’s roommate

Edward R. Murrow

Billy – 6 year old boy, mother killed by bomb

Jim Tom Winthrop

Maggie Winthrop – died in childbirth

For discussion:

1. Edward R. Murrow’s three questions for reporting the news were:  1) what is happening? 2) how does it affect Americans?  and 3) what does the Common Man say?  Do you think current news reporting is following these guidelines?  Why or why not?

2. Discuss Will Finch and how the events of his life affected his decisions.  For example, what effect did his father’s behavior during the bank crash and the death of Maggie in childbirth have on him?

3. Discuss Will’s death.  It was commonplace compared to other deaths caused by the war.  Why do you think the author had him die in such an undramatic way?

4. Frankie reported on some boys as heroes who, “…wept and picked themselves up and went on…”   How does this agree or disagree with your idea of a hero?

5. Frankie did not tell Emma about meeting Will or the letter.  Was this the right thing to do?  Why or why not?

6. Did you like the writing style?  Did you like the mix of real and fictional characters?