Wild, by Cheryl Strayed

NOTE: My book group had a great discussion about this book.  For a group of friends who frequently stray from the book, we discussed it for well over an hour.

People
Family	Pacific Coast Trail
Cheryl Paul – husband – divorced   Mother Eddie – second husband   Leif and Karen – siblings   Joe – drug user and enabler   Lisa – friend mailing boxes	Ray Jardine – PCT legend   Greg   Albert and Matt – father and son   Doug and Tom – same age as Cheryl   Ed – Trail Angel – met at first campground   Christine and Jeff – Packer Lodge   Trina, Stacy and Brent   Rex   John and Sarah - dating   Sam and Helen - married   Three Young Bucks – Rick, Josh and Richie   Jonathan – worked at club, one-night stand   Two bow hunters

For Discussion:

NOTE:  Page numbers are from paperback edition.

 

1. Why did her mother’s sickness and death have such a negative impact on Cheryl’s marriage?

 

2. Discuss Cheryl’s family.  Why weren’t they able to stay connected after their mother died?

 

3. Discuss Cheryl’s mourning of her mother.  What did you think of her mother’s list of faults (pages 265-267) and how they were offset by her “all-encompassing love” (page 268).  Was there anything Cheryl or someone else might have done to help her through her mourning?

 

4. At the beginning of her journey (page 30) she had no address to list as “home” on the motel card.  Can you imagine how that would feel?

5. On page 53 she wrote a description of what it felt like to take drugs.  Did you think this might be an accurate description?  Did it help you understand why some people wanted to do so?

 

6. Discuss Monster.  What things from home would you want to carry with you?

 

7. When she got divorced from Paul, Cheryl realized she could name herself anything she wanted so she changed her last name to Strayed.  What new name would you chose to describe you?

 

8. Did you understand why she and Paul divorced?  Should they have tried harder to save their marriage?

 

9. How would it feel to be totally on your own with no one knowing where you are – particularly in this day of cell phones and instant contact?

 

10. Did you think the two bow hunters were going to harm Cheryl?   Did they know they were being frightening?  Did they care?

 

11. Were you surprised that one of the books she packed in the boxes was Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov?  Why did she choose that book?  What books would you pack?

 

12. Of course it has to be asked – would you ever do anything like what Cheryl did?

*****

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.

 

 

Luther and Katharina, by Jody Hedlund

REVIEW:  One thing I liked about this novel was the historical perspective.  I felt I gained information and insight into that particular Biblical period and Martin Luther.  Also, I thought the author did an interesting job of showing how difficult it was for nuns who grew up in a convent to get used to being in control of their own time and thoughts, but given the time period and that Luther arranged marriages for them I wondered if they really were free.  I got a little bored with Katharina and Luther sparing and always being confrontational.  I wanted them to say what was in their hearts and get along with each other.  (But then the story would have been very short!)  I would recommend this book to someone who likes historical fiction and romances.   I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review.

People/Characters
Martin Luther – Black Cloister	Katharina von Bora – Marienthron Convent
Hans – father – mine owner Jacob – younger brother Wolfgang – manservant   Elector Frederick – benefactor and protector   Duke George – archenemy Brother Gabriel – spying on Luther for Duke George Karlstodt – professor – enemy   Melanchthon – friend Jonas - friend	Greta – maidservant Thomas – Greta’s lover Merchant Koppe – Thomas’ uncle – helped nuns escape   Aunt Lena – nun – helped nuns escape   Margaret Schonfeld – nun and friend Eva   Fronica and Etta Zeschau – circulated Luther’s letters among nuns   Abbot Baltazar   Jerome Baumgartner – suitor   Reichenbach family – took Katharina in as a servant Elsa – wife Husband – mayor   Lucas Cranach – apothecary,  printer Barbara – wife Took in Margaret and Eva, eventually Katharina

For discussion:
NOTE: The page numbers refer to the paperback preview edition of the novel.
1. Discuss the women in the book, particularly Katharina, Greta and Barbara Cranach - all strong women.  Were they typical of women at that time?  Why or why not?
2. The book describes Katharina's struggles letting go of her pride.  Did you think she was too proud or was there a more positive way to describe her personality?
3. In one sense the nuns went from one form of control (the Abbot) to another (Luther who arranged marriages for them).  Do you think any may have wished for the cloistered life again albeit without the abuse?  Why?
4. Discuss Luther and Katharina's "courtship" and road to marital harmony.  Were their struggles realistic?  Did you enjoy reading about their struggles to understand each other or did you just want them to get over it?
5. Discuss Luther burning Katharina's indulgence from her mother, the only thing she had of hers.  Did she treasure it more for a religious or sentimental reason?
6. When the nuns were settled in the Black Cloister, how did you evaluate their transition to a "normal life?"  Was it realistic, too fast, too slow or something else?
7. The one topic of the book - nuns and monks forsaking their vow of chastity and cloistered life - is quite timely.  What do you think about priests marrying? 
8. Did you understand Martin Luther's father's disappointment with him?  Was it disappointment, fear for him, or both?
9. As you were reading, did you wonder what was true and what was fiction?  Did the author's notes satisfy your curiosity?
*****
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.