The Persian Pickle Club, by Sandra Dallas

 

Characters

Persian Pickle Club

Queenie Bean – narrator: Grover, husband Rita Ritter – new member; Tom, husband Agnew T. Ritter – Rita’s sister-in-law Sabra Ritter Velma Burgett Nettie Burgett – Tyrone, husband Forest Ann Finding – widow, Nettie’s sister-in-law; affair with Dr Sipes Opalia Dux Ceres Root Ella Crook - “widow,” abandoned by husband, Ben Crook Septima Judd – Prosper, husband; Ella’s parents Ada June Zinn

Others

Hiawatha and Duty Jackson – lived on Ella’s farm   Joe Blue Massie Zepha – wife Sonny and Baby   Reverand Foster Olive   Sherrif Eagles

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the 2014 paperback anniversary edition.

1.       What do you think really happened to Ben Crook?

2.       What was your favorite part of the book?  What character did you like or dislike?

3.       There were several life’s lessons included in the book such as: “Forrest Ann deserves a little kindness” (page 117); regarding Ella, “Helping people perked her up” (page 121); and the loyalty of the group in general.   Do you think that was partly the author’s purposes in writing the novel?

4.       This book was first published in 1995 and released this year in a 20^th Anniversary Edition.  Why do you think it have been so popular?

5.       Did the novel make you interested in quilting or quilts?  Do you have any old quilts with memories attached?