Beautiful Animals, by Lawrence Osborne

REVIEW:  I am not actually sure how I feel about this book.  It was interesting and compelled me to continue reading, but I didn’t really care about most of the characters.   It also seemed a bit far-fetched – I was not sure if the story could really happen.  While I understand this is fiction, I did not think it was meant to be total fantasy.  The positives were that it gave an interesting description of the lives of the very wealthy, although not a positive depiction.  I also have no frame of reference to know if it was accurate.  For me the ending was not satisfying.   Given each author’s purpose the ending does not necessarily have to neatly tie everything up, but this one did not make me think or reflect on what I had read.  My review does not seem very positive, but I did read the whole book and enjoyed the reading experience.  I think it would be a good for a book group – it will certainly lead to a lively discussion.   I received a complimentary copy of the book for this review.  

Characters

Naomi Codrington Jimmie – father Phaine – step-mother Carissa – maid Samantha “Sam” Haldane Amy and Jeffrey – parents Brother – 15 Toby Carhargan – American boy Sam met on island Faound – Arab, castaway Benedetta – Met Faound in Italy, stole money Rockhold – friend of Jimmie’s Susan – assistant in London Girls selling drugs from row boat

For Discussion:

Note: All page numbers are from hardback edition of book.

1. On page 79 (chapter 7) Naomi reflected back on the mistake (“ineptitude and cowardice”) she made during her brief law career and wanted to do something good.  She thought, “Morality was nothing more than paying attention to the chain reaction while not causing another one.”   Should she have foreseen the chain reaction of her good deed to Faound?
2. At times Naomi was very reflective.   Could she have used this trait to focus her life and feel that she was doing something meaningful?  Was saving Faound filling this need?
3. On the second page of chapter 8, Naomi was surprised that she “…felt quite at ease confessing everything to him (Faound), it if was even a confession.”  Why did she feel that she could be so open with him?
4. Were you surprised Naomi and Faound had sex?  Why or why not?
5. Naomi thought it was “reprehensible – no, a vile – thing” (page 96, chapter 8) that Jimmie and Phaine had so many material possessions while so many people had nothing.  Do you think they should feel guilty about what they had?
6. On page 106 (chapter 9) Naomi reflected that, “She wanted to be a Samaritan: the easiest job in the world, and perfect for the useless European middle classes.”  What did you think when you read this sentence?
7. Were you surprised how involved Carissa was willing to be in the break-in and cover-up?  Why?
8. When Faound was in Italy he purchased a pair of very expensive shoes.  The author wrote about shoes, “Shoes - so banal and yet so magnificently significant” (page 170, chapter 16).  What did you think about this sentence?  Do you pay attention to people’s shoes?  What information do they give?
9. On pages 194-195 (chapter 17), Carissa says to Naomi, “You’re just selfish…It wasn’t about helping the migrant, it was about you and your father and Phaine.  I know, they were cruel to you.  It’s not entirely your fault.”   Do you agree?
10. Also on page 195 Naomi says to Carissa, “But I understand.  It’s nothing personal, is it?”  and Carissa replies, “It’s very personal.  I wasted seven years of my life here slaving for you.  I’m not letting it go to waste.”   Were you surprised that Carissa held this resentment for seven years?  Did Jimmie, Phaine and Naomi think Carissa was happy and that they were treating her well?
11. What parts did Sam and the girl in the row boat selling drugs play in the narrative?  Were they necessary to move the story along?  Why or why not?
12. Discuss the various characters.  Who did you feel were sympathetic characters?  Who did you not like?  Why?

*****

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.

Three Pastiches Related to Sherlock Holmes Novels

NOTE: Our local library group is having a “Summer of Sherlock.”  In June, we read Arthur and Sherlock, by Michael Sims.  (This book is about how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes and who were the models for the detective.)  In July, we discussed the four Sherlock novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.   In August, we will discuss three current Sherlock Holmes novels authorized by the Conan Doyle Estate: Moriarty and The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz, and The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr.  The following posting is long, but it contains discussion guides for the three novels as well as a few general questions.

The Italian Secretary, by Caleb Carr

Characters

Sherlock Holmes Dr. John Watson Mycroft Holmes – Sherlock’s brother, confidant of Queen Victoria David Rizzo – murdered 1566 - private secretary to Mary Queen of Scotts Sir Alister Sinclair – murdered – architect at Holyroodhouse Dennis McKay – murdered – foreman Alex Morton – latest of nine to try to kill Queen Victoria Lord Francis Hamilton – resident family member at Holyrood, scamming people about ghost in Holyrood Hackett – butler Andrew – son – footman Robert Sadler – park gillies “Likely Will” Sadler – armourer – partner of Lord Francis in scam Alison Mackenzie – pregnant by “Likely Will”

 For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from 2005 paperback edition

1. Do you think the depiction of Sherlock Holmes in this modern novel agrees with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character?  In your discussion consider the following:
1. On page 176 Holmes is very complimentary to Alison Mackenzie and makes similar compliments to Andrew on page 182.
2. Did you have unanswered questions when you were done with the book?  Where these “red herrings” to throw the reader off?  If so, were they effective?  The two things that I wished had been explained (and maybe I just missed it) were:
1. The Queen’s toothache – on page 102 Holmes asked which tooth it was and on page 109 he said that the dentist was of great importance.
2. What was the significance of the lute and sheet music at the end?
3. Did you like the addition of the ghost?  In the “Afterword” written by Jon Lellenberg, the U.S. Representative of the Conan Doyle Estate, he wrote that, “I am not sure Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would approve…” but cited The Hound of the Baskervilles as “excuse and inspiration” (page 330).

The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz
Characters
Sherlock Holmes Dr. John Watson Mycroft – Sherlock’s brother Inspector Lestrade Ridgeway House: Edmund Carstairs Catherine – wife (Keelan O’Donaghue) Eliza – sister Mother – died of gas asphyxiation Baker Street Irregulars: Wiggins Ross Dixon Sally Dixon – Ross’ sister	Flat Cap Gang: Keelan O’Donaghue Rourke O’Donaghue Chorley Grange: Reverend Charles Fitzsimmons Joanna – wife Mr. Vesper – teacher Robert Weeks – teacher House of Silk: Inspector Harriman Dr. Thomas Achland Lord Horace Blackwater Honorable Alec Ravenshaw

 For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1. Did you think that the subject matter (pedophilia) was a bit riskier than what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would write?   Was it effective?
2. How many places did you find that the author paid homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?  Two that I picked out were the mention of the short story, “The Red-headed League” (page 101), and where Sherlock explained to the pawn broker how he deduced so much about him similar to when Sherlock first met Dr. Watson (page 111) in A Study in Scarlet.

Moriarty, by Anthony Horowitz
Main Characters
Good Guys	Bad Guys
Athelney Jones – Scotland Yard Elspeth – wife Beatrice – daughter Robert Lincoln – son of Abraham Lincoln, American Envoy in London Police: Lestrade Gregson Multiple others NOTE: Jones, Lestrade and Gregson are characters from The Sign of Four	Frederick Chase – Pinkerton – narrator, a.k.a. James Moriarty Jonathan Pilgrim Colonel Sebastian Moran – sharpshooter Perry Clarence Devereux – agoraphobia, a.k.a. Coleman DeVriess Edgar and Leland Mortlake Scotchy Lavelle Highgate: Scotchy Lavelle – tortured and murdered Henrietta – Lavelle’s mistress - murdered Clayton - petty criminal - murdered Mary Stagg – survived Cook and Kitchen boy – murdered Chancery Lane: Silas Beckett – barber, a.k.a. John Clay Archie Cooke – hurdy-gurdy man, a.k.a. Duncan Ross

For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the paperback edition.

1. When Beatrice was being held captive and Devereux was using her as a bargaining tool to get Jones and Chase to meet with him, there were two lines of thinking about Devereux’s motivation.  Which did you think was correct?  Did your opinion change when you finished the book?
1. On page 271 Jones felt that Elspeth did not need to worry, that Devereux had nothing to gain by hurting them,
2. On page 272 Chase thought that Devereux had a more sinister plot than just wanting to talk with them, Devereux might kill them simply because it was his nature.
2. When Jones and Chase were held captive, Jones still had his walking stick.   Did you think this was logical or did you question this?  Why?
3. What did you think when you finished the book?  How was it different from what you expected?
4. If there is a sequel what do you think it will be about?
5. Moriarty thought he had left clues for the reader to figure out who he was – see page 346.   Did you pick up any clues?  Were you at any time suspicious that there was a twist coming?
6. Discuss your reading experience?   Did you start the book with any preconceived ideas that were not correct?

General Discussion

1. How true were these three novels to the Conan Doyle canon?  Would Sir Arthur Conan Doyle approve?
2. If you read more than one, which did you enjoy the most?  The least?  Why?
3. Why do you think Sherlock Holmes continues to be so popular?

*****

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 Four Sherlock Holmes Novels, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

NOTE: Our local library group is having a “Summer of Sherlock.”  In June, we read Arthur and Sherlock, by Michael Sims.  (This book is about how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes and who were the models for the detective.)  In July, we will discuss the four novels listed below.  In August, we will discuss three current Sherlock Holmes novels authorized by the Conan Doyle Estate: Moriarty and The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz, and The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr.

Characters
Sherlock Holmes Dr. John Watson
A Study in Scarlet	The Sign of the Four	The Hound of the  Baskervilles	The Valley of Fear
John Rance – constable Lestrade – detective Tobias Gregson – detective Victims: Enoch J. Drebber Joseph Stangerson John Ferrier Lucy – adopted daughter Jefferson Hope For discussion: How were the warning signs placed in the Ferrier’s home?	Gregson Lestrade Athelney Jones – police Mary Morstan Captain Morstan - father Mrs. Cecil Forrester – Mary’s employer Mrs. Hudson – housekeeper Major John Sholto Thaddeus – son Bartholomew – son The sign of the four: Jonathan Small Mahomet Singh Abdullah Khan Dost Akbar Tonga – with Small Baker Street irregulars Wiggins – leader For discussion: In this book in particular the police detectives were more prominent and took the credit for solving the crime.  Why did this not bother Sherlock more?	Sir Charles Baskerville -descendent of Hugo, murdered Mr.  Henry Baskerville – son of Charles’ 2nd brother Stapleton – son of Rodger, Charles’ 3rd brother Beryl – wife John Barrymore – butler Eliza – wife Selden – Notting Hill murderer, escaped, Eliza’s brother John Mortimer Mr. Frankland – neighbor, always filing law suits Hound – phosphorus on mouth to mimic flames	Dr. Moriarty Inspector MacDonald White Mason – local officer Sergeant Wilson – Sussex police John Douglas – Birlstone Manor a.k.a. Birdy Edwards – Pinkerton, also John McMurdo Ivy - 2nd wife Cecil Barker Ames – butler Mrs. Allen – housekeeper Ted Baldwin – bicyclist In America: Ancient Order of Freemasons #341 (Scowrers) Councillor Jack McGinty John McMurdo Brother Morris Ted Baldwin - rival for Ettie Mike Scanlon – McMurdo’s roommate Shafter – boarding house Ettie - daughter

For Discussion:

1. Sherlock felt that his skill as a detective was because he could reason backwards (analytically).  On the other hand, being able to reason forward (synthetically) was more useful in everyday life (A Study in Scarlet, Part 2, Chapter 7).   Do you agree?  When would each type of thinking be useful?
2. In The Sign of the Four, Sherlock listed skills necessary for a good detective.  How did he exhibit these skills?
1. Never guess.  “It is a shocking habit – destructive to the logical faculty” (chapter 1).
2. Never overlook the simple things.  “It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked” (chapter 10).
3. Eliminate all wrong answers to determine correct one. “Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth” (chapter 1).
4. Examine objects used every day to learn about the person. (chapter 1)
5. Also, in The Valley of Fear, Sherlock said he liked to be in the place where the crime happened to see if he could learn anything from the atmosphere.  “I’m a believer in the genius loci” (Part 1, chapter 6). 
3. Referring back to learning about a person by examining what they use every day, what would the things you use and touch every day tell Sherlock about you?
4. Many mystery writers include a red herring, false clue, to throw off the reader.  Were there any red herrings in the novel you read?
5. Three of the four stories (nor Hound of the Baskervilles) almost had two separate stories, one about the crime and Sherlock Holmes’ detective work and the second the back story of the crime.  Did you like this approach?
6. In The Sign of the Four, Sherlock restated a premise by Winwood Reade that “as an individual man is an insoluble puzzle, in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty” (chapter 10).   Do you agree?  Were there examples in this novel or the other three?  What about in our current world?
7. If you read Arthur and Sherlock, by Michael Sims, how did that information influence your reading of the four novels?
8. If the novels were published today would they be any different?

*****

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

The Heirs, by Susan Rieger

REVIEW:  This was a great read!  I enjoyed every minute of it and, when not reading, was longing to get back into the book.  The author created very interesting and complex characters who I wanted to learn more about.  At times, the story line jumped over a several years span in a chapter and, in one case, on one page, but due to the skill of the author I was always able to follow and never got lost.  There was only one instance where I was confused and that was when wives changed from the beginning of the story to the obituary without any explanation that I found, but this did not impact my enjoyment at all.  The author did an amazing job of tying all of the various story lines together.  Sometimes starting a new chapter (all of the chapter titles are the characters’ names) I would wonder how this was all going to fit together, but it always did and masterfully so.  I highly recommend this book, especially for book groups.  It will lead to interesting and meaningful discussions.  I received a complimentary copy of the book for this review.  

Characters
Falkes	Others
Rupert Eleanor Harry – law professor, Columbia, “the blurter”, affair with colleague Lea – wife Will – Editor, Random House; talent agent Francine – wife Mary - daughter Sam – scientist, MD/ PhD Andrew – partner, separated Gemma – daughter with Susanna Jack – jazz trumpeter, music always came first, could not play when not happy Katherine – wife Ingrid - daughter Tom, federal prosecutor Caroline – wife Lila – daughter, adopted age three	Edward and Virginia Phipps – Eleanor’s parents Marina Cantwell – affair with Edward Louisa - daughter Susanna Goffe – Sam’s best friend since childhood Eleanor’s previous boyfriends: Carlo Benedetti – lawyer Dr. Jim Cardozo Anne Lehman – married Jim Cardozo Ethel – mother Vera Wolinski Hugh and Iain – sons Hannah Bigelow – Looking for lost brother, Anders, four years after Rupert’s death Helen Sonnegaard – late mother Dominic Byrne – Will’s tutor at Cambridge

 For discussion:

NOTE: The page numbers are from the hardback edition.

1. Would you be charmed or annoyed with Ethel Lehman’s endless use of quotes?  Why?
2. On pages 98 and 99 Eleanor told Will that when husbands buy gifts for their wives they are either really buying what they think their mothers would like or what they themselves would like.   She called this “The old spousal gift fallacy.”   Do you agree?  What about wives buying gifts for their husbands gifts?
3. Why did Eleanor set up a trust for Vera?   Do you think Hugh and Iain are Rupert’s sons?
4. Discuss the benefits and negatives of being rude:
1. Rupert was rude all of his life and people did not take offense.
2. On page 222, Eleanor said that she was going to be sixty and that she was going to stop being so accommodating and start being rude because, “Rudeness is sometimes the only proper response.”
3. On page 229, when Rupert was dying Eleanor decided to temporarily give up her “budding rudeness” because they needed the kindness of so many people.
4. Also on page 229 Eleanor reflected that rudeness grows “exponentially with each eruption.”
5. Do you think Louisa was Eleanor’s half-sister by Marina Cantwell and Edward?  Why?
6. What were your thoughts about Eleanor as the story unfolded?  On the one hand, she was a dedicated wife and mother but on the other she was secretly meeting Jim at the movies.
7. Discuss the five sons and their differences.   For example, Harry was called “the blurter” because he said what he thought without any filters. Do you think he should have been able to control these impulses?
8. What do you think your reaction would have been to Vera’s letter about her two sons being Rupert’s children?  
9. It seemed like most of the men in the novel were either in love with or entranced by Eleanor.  Why?
10. What part did Dominic Byrne play in the story?  He only appeared twice, once when Will was at Cambridge (page 108) and at the end when he wrote a letter to Eleanor telling her he was getting married and implying that he was always in love with her but she would not have him (page 244).
11. What did you think about the ending?  What will happen next?

*****

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 barnesannoble.com   Click on the upper right  link.

America’s First Daughter, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

REVIEW:  I was a little impatient reading this book because it is long and at times seemed to move slowly.  BUT I found it intriguing!  The authors did an amazing job of capturing the times and the feelings about slavery and women.   There are so many interesting aspects to the novel that my discussion guide ended up being three pages!    This is a great book for book groups and should lead to lively discussions!

Citizens

Slaves

Thomas Jefferson Martha – wife, deceased Martha “Patsy” – daughter, married Tom Randolph Polly “Maria” – daughter, married Jack Eppes Lucy – daughter, deceased Wayles – Martha’s father William Short – Martha’s relative, aid to Jefferson Colonel Randolph Wife - deceased Tom – oldest child, married Patsy Judith – married cousin, Richard Randolph Nancy – had child to Richard Randolph, died 3 younger sisters Gabriella Harvie – Colonel’s 2nd wife Thomas Mann - son Tom and Patsy’s children Ann – married Charles Bankhead, abusive Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” – married Jane Nicholas Ellen – died Ellen – married Joseph Coolidge Cornelia Virginia “Ginny” – married Nicholas Trist Mary James Madison Benjamin Franklin Septimia George Wythe Maria Cosway – Paris, Jefferson’s married lover Lafayette

Hemings Betsy – had children by Wayles Sally – Martha’s half-sister, several children with Jefferson, two survived Jimmy – to Paris with Jefferson as cook Nance Critta Martin Bob Mary Hemings Bell – widow of owner of general store, now proprietress Betsy – Mary’s daughter, Polly’s maid Others Mammy Ursala

 For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the paperback edition.

1. Were you surprised by the description of Thomas Jefferson’s strong mourning?  Did this fit with your image of him?  Why did no one seem to notice or intervene?
2. Was it fair for Martha to extract the promises that she did from Thomas (never marry again) and Patsy (always take care of father) (pages 30 – 33)?
3. Do you think Jefferson knew that his wife made Patsy promise to take care of him?  How did this affect his as well as Patsy’s life?
4. On page 57 Colonel Randolph said to Jefferson, “You’re better off in retirement.  No good comes of public service anymore.”   How would our country be different if Jefferson agreed?
5. When Patsy was thinking about entering the convent, she thought that she would teach Polly to be devoted rather than truthful because Patsy thought being devoted was a much more important virtue (page 108).   What do you think?
1. Also, on page 215 Patsy chose devotion to father over love for William Short.  Do you think she made a wise choice?
2. Well into their marriage Patsy said “I thought perhaps the thing for Tom I felt that was deeper than love might be dedication (page 271).   How does this fit with her previous statements?   Did she make a wise choice to let devotion and dedication direct her life?
6. Do you think it was in Polly’s best interest to leave her and Lucy behind when Jefferson and Patsy went to Europe?
7. It is now common knowledge that Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings.  What did you think about his choice when Polly first arrived and he was upstairs with Sally?   Was the fact that she resembled his wife mitigate his actions?
8. At Polly’s wedding when Tom was struggling, Patsy said to him, “I’ll tell you a secret about being happy, Tom.  Sometimes you just have to pretend at it until it becomes real” (page 329).   Do you think this is good advice?
9. The first time Tom hit Patsy was on page 292.  In the next section she thinks, “I’d fretted about my father’s reputation, but I’d given too little thought to Tom’s.  I deserved to be slapped to my senses” (page 293).  Why do you think Tom turned violent with Patsy?   Should Patsy have felt that she was spending too much of her energy on her father and not her husband?
10. What did you think of Tom Randolph?   Did he have any chance to be a better man?  Was he flawed from the beginning or did it happen over the years?
11. Did you agree with Patsy’s request of President Madison to have Tom recalled from military duty and assigned to be tax collector?  Did she have the right to do that?
12. Could any man Patsy married have competed favorable to her father?  Was her and Tom’s marriage doomed from the start?

13. When Ann returned home beaten and pregnant, she said she deserved it (page 543).  Patsy began to wonder what example she had set for her daughters and reflected that, “…Ann had never been taught to do anything but honor and obey a husband, and none of this was her fault” (page 543).   Given the times do you think Patsy could have raised her daughters differently?
14. When the book opened Patsy was contemplating burning some of Jefferson’s incriminating letters.  What do you think she should do? 
15. How did this book as a whole fit with your idea of Thomas Jefferson? 

*****

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 Glorious Heresies, by Lisa McInerney

REVIEW:   While the writing is very good, I did not find this novel a pleasure to read.  The subject matter is very dark and few of the characters have redeeming qualities.  One of the discussion questions at the back of my edition asked what the reader knew about Ireland before reading and if the novel confirmed or added to that knowledge.  While written by an Irish author and containing many Irish idioms in the conversations, I don’t think this story is unique to Ireland and could have been set anywhere.  I don’t feel I gained any new knowledge about Ireland or understanding of the Irish people.  The author did do a good job of showing how difficult and sad many lives really are.  I would only recommend it as a study of a lower level of society and as a way of understanding how many people have none or limited choices in life.   I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review.  

Characters

Tony Cusack Maria – wife – died in suicidal car accident Ryan – oldest son Kelly, Cian, Cathal, Ronan and Niamh – siblings Fiona – Tony’s twin sister Joseph – Fiona’s son – musician – invited Ryan to play with his group Karine D’Arcy – Ryan’s girlfriend Niall Vaughan – Karine had affair with him while Ryan was in jail Jimmy Phelan Maureen Phelan – mother, did not raise Jimmy Una Phelan – Maureen’s mother – raised Jimmy Deirdra – Jimmy’s wife Ellie and Conner – children Tara Duane – Tony’s neighbor Melinda (Linda) – daughter Dan Kane – drug dealer - Ryan went to prison to protect him Georgie Fitzsimons – sex worker Robbie O’Donovan – killed by Maureen Harmony Faye Fitzsimons – Georgie’s daughter with David – David’s family took and will raise the baby Ruby Dea – owned farm, took in people who needed a place to stay Mo Looney (Maureen) Saskia – also member of CAIL? Christians Active in the Light (CAIL) – mission William Tobin – leader Clover – wife Georgie David Coughlan – baby’s father Saskia Frank Cotter – disposed of bodies, killed by Jimmy Tim Dougan – helps dispose of bodies

 For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the U.S. paperback edition published by Crown Publishing.

1. When Ryan went to jail, Tony could have saved him by saying that he could control him.  Why didn’t he do that?  What was his motive?  Do you think it was better for Ryan to go to jail or would he have been better at home?
2. In chapter 9 Tony was in a therapy session about his excessive drinking and thought the counselor asked all the wrong questions.  What did you think?  Was it possible that the therapist could understand and ask more probing questions?
3. How realistically do you think the sex trade was depicted in the novel?  Did you feel any sympathy or compassion for the women?  Why or why not?
4. In chapter 19 when Georgie and Maureen were talking, Maureen said that men divide women into categories, “The mammies.  The bitches.  The wives.  The girlfriends.  The whores.  Women are all for it too, so long as they fall into the right class.  They all look down on the whores. There but for the grace of God” (page 265.) Do you think this is still true today in your society?   Why or why not?
5. Regarding men, in the same chapter Maureen said that, “they’re divide up just as neatly, didn’t you know?  Saints and sinners. Maters and slaves. The good guys and the bad guys…No one gets to the top if he hasn’t a mound of bodies to climb” (pages 265 & 266).  Do you agree?  How did this play out in the novel?
6. At the end, why did Ryan let Georgie live and send her out of the country?  Was this in his character?
7. Discuss Ryan and Karine and how their relationship developed after Ryan was released from jail.  Could they have acted different than they did?
8. Which character did you find most sympathetic?  Why?
9. Did any of the characters have a choice in their life?  Could any of them led a life that was different than that depicted in the novel?  Why and how?On page 330 Jimmy reflected that he was not a murderer but was using “pragmatic judgement.” What do you think?
10. On page 330 Jimmy reflected that he was not a murderer but was using "pragmatic judgement."  How did he rationalize this distinction?
11. What do you think will happen to Karine?  She is doing well in college.  Why does she stay with Ryan?  What do you think will be her future?
12. Did you like the ending?  What do you think happened after the story ended?
13. There were a lot of Irish idioms in the novel.  How did they affect your reading experience?  What do you think some of them mean?  Some examples with citations are:

• Gurriers – “Gurriers tied to you were still gurriers” (page 209).
• Craic – “But weren’t we having the craic?” (page 210).
• Clanger – “…drew Tony Crusack’s indiscretion from catastrophe to conspiracy to clanger” (page 94).
• Melt – “Oh my God, you break my melt, d’you know that?” (page 96).
• Umbral – “He stood at the window looking into umbral immensity…” (page 116).
• Missus MILF – referring to Tara (page 305)
• Hames – “It’s not you making a hames of clean living” (page 118)
• Noondeenaw – “…having birthed a famous noondeenaw” (page 120)
• Wanno – When Georgie told Clover she was not an expert on God, Clover replied, “Let me tell you this, neither is yer wanno with you” (page 140).
• Wan – “She’s a pal of your wan next door.” (page 170).

Many I was able to figure out with context clues:

• Gardai – police
• Beour – girl
• Naggin – shot of liquor
• Craitur – creature
• Gowl – someone stupid

*****

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.