Baker Towers, by Jennifer Haigh

 

Characters
Novak family	Others
Father – miner, died Rose – mother Dorothy - oldest Georgie – oldest son Joyce Sandy Lucy	Evelyn Lipnic – George’s high school girlfriend   Gene Stusick – George’s best friend, married Evelyn, union president, mine foreman   Leonard Stusick – Evelyn and Gene’s son, graduated from medical school   Washington D.C.: Mag Spangler – high school classmate, helped Dorothy get situated Patsy Sturgis – Dorothy’s roommate Chick Rowsey – wounded veteran   Kip Quigley – Marion’s brother, cheated off George’s tests in college   Angelo Bernardi – son of undertaker, divorced, dating Dorothy, died in mine explosion   Susan Jevic – Joyce’s student, worked in library, married Arthur   Ed Hauser – vice principal, married Joyce
Dorothy – went to Washington D. C. for job, returned to Bakerton, affair with Angelo Bernardi   George: Marion – wife Arthur – son   Joyce – came home to care for mother and Lucy, went back college part time, became 8th grade teacher, married Ed Hauser, daughter   Sandy – unknown locations   Lucy – nursing degree from Pitt, returned to Bakerton, married Leonard

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1.       Why did Marion marry George and why did he marry her?  Marion was “unlike any woman he had ever known” (page 105).

2.       When the mine cave-in was happening, George told Evelyn, “I married the wrong woman, I made a terrible mistake” (page 287).   Later, when he asked her to marry him, she replied, “Oh, George, the years go.  You can’t have them back” (page 313).  Would George have been happier if he had married Evelyn?

3.       Why do you think many of the characters came back to Bakerton in the end?  For example, Lucy, Arthur, Sandy, Dorothy?

4.       What did you think about Joyce giving up her military career after four years and returning home to take care of Rose?  Would this be any different if the story was set in 2021?

5.       Joyce “longed to devote herself to something of consequence; of the paths open to her, only the military seemed meaningful enough” (page 117).   Even though Joyce was disappointed in the military, did she have any other options?  In the end, did she achieve her goal?

6.       Joyce paid for Lucy’s education, which Lucy seemed to expect, with the understanding that “she’d always been expected to leave…It was the sisters who stayed” (page 315).  Why was Lucy not able to stay away?

7.       When Lucy returned and ran into Steven Fleck and Connie Kulka at the diner, given what Lucy had achieved, why was she so miserable to see them (page 280-281)?

8.       Discuss Dorothy’s time in Washington D. C.  How did her roommate, Patsy Sturgis, and their friendship with Chick Rowsey, influence Dorothy’s life?

9.       What happened to Dorothy?  Mag Spangler called Joyce and had her come to Washington D. C. to get Dorothy.  She told Joyce, “Something is terribly wrong with Dorothy” (page 176).

10.   Discuss the importance of food in the story.

a.       Rose was not able to quit eating sweets after husband’s funeral.

b.       Rose encouraging Lucy to eat with her, even though Lucy was overweight and unhappy (pages 141-142).

c.       Lucy eventually lost her taste for food after friend pointing out she had a great figure (page 238).

d.       Traditional ethnic dishes mentioned in the story. 

e.       Dorothy cooking for Arthur, “an Italian soup he couldn’t get enough of…He had never eaten so well in his life” (page 323).

11.   Have you ever heard of “the trough dance?”  It is defined as “when a younger sibling gets married before an older sibling; the older sibling is supposed to get in the hog trough and dance. This is done to bless the younger sibling's wedding, as it was once believed to be bad luck for a younger sibling to marry before an older sibling” (www.megasound1.blogspot.com).  How do you think this made the older siblings feel?

12.   As you were reading the story, what did you think Sandy was doing during those years? Why do you think the author never filled in his story?

13.   Did you like the ending of the novel – pages 330-332 quickly wrapped everything up and pages 333-334 introduced new people to area?

*****

First Semester Success, 2nd edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com and wordassociation.com.

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

 

Characters

Lily Owens T. Ray – father Deborah – mother, deceased   Rosaleen Daise – raised Lily after mother died   Calendar Sisters: August Boatwright June – teacher, played cello May – twin sister, April, deceased   Zachary Taylor – “Zach” – main helper with bees, football player, dreams of being a lawyer   Neil – principal at June’s school, married June   Daughters of Mary: Queenie Violet – Queenie’s grown daughter Lunelle – hat maker Mabelee Cressie Otis Hill Sugar-Girl – Otis’ wife   Clayton Forrest – attorney Becca – daughter Miss Lucy

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers from paperback edition.

1.       Why did June resent Lily for most of the novel?   Could you understand why she resisted marrying Neil for so long?

2.       Discuss May’s character.   Were you surprised at what happened to her at end of novel?  Consider the following:

a.       She sang “Oh! Susanna” which “seemed to be her personal way of warding off crying” (page 85)

b.       Her morning banana had to be perfect – no bruises (page 85).

c.       The stone wall she made and then tucked notes between the stones with things that upset her.

3.       Did you ever have “day-of-the-week” panties?  Was it a good way to describe how upset Lily was after May’s death to write that “I took to wearing my days-of-the-week panties out of order?  It could be Monday and I’d have on underwear saying Thursday.  I just didn’t care” (page 215).

4.       The novel was set in 1964.  Did it give you any insights into current or previous race relations?  Consider:

a.       When Lily first came to stay with the Boatwright sisters, she felt uncomfortable around June.  Lily realized, “This was a great revelation – not that I was white but that it seemed like June might not want me here because of my skin color.  I hadn’t known this was possible – to reject people for being white” (page 87).

b.       Lily’s realization that “I’d thought that white people and colored people getting along was the big aim, but after that I decided everybody being colorless together was a better plan” (page 209). 

5.       The novel was published in 2002.  How much do you think the context of the current times influences your appreciation or what you take away from a book?  If you read this book earlier, do you think your “reading” changed due to the upheaval of the current times?

6.       Besides race relations, what were the other themes in the novel?  How well do you think the author addressed them?  Did you gain any new insights?

7.       Discuss Zach and his dream of becoming a lawyer.  Lily told him, “You’ve got to hear of these things before you can imagine them,” but Zach replied, “You gotta imagine what’s never been” (page 121).  Do you think he will achieve his goal?

8.       Did you like the comparison between a bee hive and real life?  August told Lily, “The world is really one big bee yard, and the same rules worked fine in both places” (page 92).   Do you think these “rules” are valid?

a.       “Don’t be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you,”

b.       “Still, don’t be an idiot: wear long sleeves and long pants.  Don’t swat,”

c.       ”If you feel angry, whistle.  Anger agitates, while whistling melts a bee’s temper,”

d.       “Act like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t,” and

e.       “Above all, send the bees love.  Every little thing wants to be loved” (page 92).

9.       After learning Deborah’s story, could you understand how she could leave Lily with T. Ray?

10.   Did you feel any sympathy for T. Ray after his visit to Angela’s where he mistook Lily for Deborah?   Why or why not?

11.   Should everyone have told Lily the truth about what happened to her mother or should they have kept the truth from her?

*****

First Semester Success, 2nd edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com and wordassociation.com.

The Valley of Decision, Marcia Davenport

 

Characters
Scott Family	Others
William – father Clarissa – mother   William Jr. Julia Gaylord – wife William III – son Angelica – daughter   Paul Louise Kane – wife, suicide Dickie – died in war ·       Ruth – wife ·       children Tommy - wounded in war Teddy – Tommy’s twin ·       Lauchlan – wife ·       Paul and Peggy - children   Elizabeth Ben Nicholas – husband Benjamin Jr. – son, wants to sell steel to Germans   Constance Giles Whitfield-Moulton – husband Clarissa “Clarrie” – died in childbirth ·       Evan Gregory – husband, died in war ·       Claire – daughter, married Anton   Edgar – 1900, Benedictine monk, gave ½ of shares to Constance and ½ to Mary	Rafferty Family Pat – father Mary Kathleen “Kate” Bridget - missing James – brother - organized Amalgamated union in mills, saved William Jr. life in mill. Killed William Sr.   Liska Family Charlie Liska – “Hunkie,” promoted by Paul to skilled position in mill Julka – wife Jerry – son Anton Hrdlicka – son, musician, met and married Claire in Czechoslovakia   Seldon Middleton – tried to broker sale of mill   Amalgamated Mamas   Jack Thomas - reporter

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the 1989 paperback edition.

1.       When William came to the mill to see the first pouring in April 1880, he did not know where to walk and would have been killed if James Rafferty had not saved him.  Who was at fault?  Was it the father and Paul’s fault for not telling him what was happening and safely inviting him to come?

2.       Paul married Louise to preserve the legacy of the mill.  Would it have been possible for Paul and Mary to actually marry or for Paul and Louise to be happy?

3.       What did you think about Louise?  Was it fair to marry her when Paul was in love with Mary?  From the author’s description, would she have been able to function on her own or did she also need Mary?

4.       Why did Giles marry Constance and why did she marry him? When Mary came to England to help Constance, she gave Mary Giles’ dressing room.  When he complained, she replied, “I’ve been in this country long enough to find out how you bully your wives.  Well, just remember you’ve married an American.  And you’ll soon begin to find out what you’re in for!” (page 99).  Did Giles have any idea what he had done? 

5.       How would you describe Constance?  Driven, frivolous, selfish, a good friend and daughter?  What were her positive and negative characteristics? 

6.       What did you think happened between Edgar and Bridget, Mary’s sister?  Edgar said to Mary, “Every time I looked at you, I thought about what I’d done” (page 280). Would it have been different if Bridget was not Mary’s sister?

7.       Edgar told Mary, “you’re the living personification of everything saintly and good” (page 280).   Mary’s reply was, “But I’m not, I’m no different – from – you – from anybody – Holy Mother, we’re all alike” (page 281).  Were they all alike or was Mary “better” than the others?

8.       When Jim murdered William Scott on the bridge, who was at fault?   Should Jim have known the rumors were false and ignored them?  Did he have to shoot?

9.       Paul had a negative view of Phipps and Carnegie.  He told Selden Middleton that his father, “saw Carnegie crush and swallow up two of the most brilliant men in Pittsburgh.  That was the beginning.”  William felt so strongly about them because they “used the iron business as they did.  They used it to amass money and power for themselves.  They used it to kill competition” (page 305).  We tend to idolize Carnegie because of the libraries, so what did you think about this view presented in the novel?

10.   Obviously, Mary and the mill are the themes running through the entire book.  In 1918, looking back Paul said, “Only Mary and the mill have the qualities she stubbornly believes we have – as a family.  And she has pumped those qualities into us. She has always fought to protect the family and keep it the thing she believed or wanted it to be” (page 457).  What would the family have become without Mary?

11.   What did you think about the descriptions of “Hunkies” in Pittsburgh and also the difference between Slovaks and Czechs?

12.   Did reading Claire’s experiences and accounts of Germany in the mid-1930s change or expand your knowledge of the German people?  In this same vein, did you gain any new insight into the immigrant experience in Pittsburgh, especially how the “Hunkies” were treated?

13.   When Claire met Anton again in 1936, she thought he had found the secret to happiness.  He “had not only not eaten out his heart in futile protests that he could not be a virtuoso.  He had made the very best of his talent and in doing so had opened up the far richer, deeper well of creative genius” (page 533).  How would you translate his story into advice for a young person today?

14.   In talking with Claire, Julka defined courage and obedience on page 612 as:

a.       Obedience – “…how to obey a cruel command when the reason for it is a good reason…”

b.       Courage – “…to make decisions against everything you want.”

c.       How did Julka, Clair and Mary exhibit these qualities in their lives?

d.       Did any of the other characters?  How or how not?

15.   In the end, would Paul be considered a good business man?  In 1901 he could have sold the mill to US Steel, made a lot of money for everyone, and, according to Constance’s idea, been able to pursue his passion for metallurgy at a high salary.

16.   Marcia Davenport lived in Pittsburgh for only about two years in her early twenties.   How much do you think living in Pittsburgh added to your enjoyment of the novel?

The Miracles of Santo Fico, D. L. Smith

 

Characters

Father Elio Caproni Marta Caproni Fortino – widow, married to Franco Carmen – daughter Nina – daughter, blind Albergo di Santo Fico – hotel owned by Marta   Leo Pizzola Franco Fortino – married to Marta, killed in motorcycle accident, having an affair Guido Pasolini “Topo”   Maria Gamboni – weekly confessor Enrico – plumber, husband, reappeared after disappearing 30 years ago   Angelica Giancarlo – spied on by Leo while bathing, owned beauty parlor   Nonno – thought Leo was his youngest son, had gone with man during German occupation to shut off water to fountain, forgot where valve was   Solly Puce – mailman, twitch, romancing Carmen   Paolo Lambolo – family grazed horses on Leo’s land   The Miracles: Duke Casimo healed St. Francis of Assisi and fig tree – tree bore fruit daily as long as St. Francis was alive   The Mystery: Fresco painted in church – artist a mystery, did not age like other frescos

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the hardback edition.

1.       Discuss Marta, Carmen and Nina and their characters from Father Elio’s point of view:

a.       Marta – “humorless, slightly dangerous” (page 84) and “turned to stone” (page 85) after circumstances of Franco’s death.

b.       Carmen – “breath of fresh air…faint scent of brimstone…touch of wickedness” (page 85).

c.       Nina – “Elio recognized in her the hand of God” (page 86) and she “lived a life of grace: a grace he did not possess” (page 87).

2.       Discuss Leo’s character.  Was he a positive or negative character in the novel?

a.       He stole the fresco.

b.       With Topo’s help he devised the scheme to charge the tourists to tour the church and hear the story of the Miracles and the Mystery.

c.       Initially he lied to Father Elio about amount, and kept the extra, but later gave him the correct amount.

d.       He spied on Angelica while she was swimming (although she knew about it!).

3.       Do you think Leo purposefully manipulated everyone or was this just his personality?  For example, he always got Topo to do what he wanted, he arranged for Carmen to meet both Solly and Paolo at Brusco Point which could have been dangerous, and he tried to have Father Elio experience a miracle.  Again, was this positive of negative?

4.       How important was the character of Topo (Guido Pasolini) to the story?  On page 26, the author wrote about Topo’s idea to tell the story to the stranded English tourists, “Who could foresee such a harmless notion bringing such a world of trouble?”  Was it so terrible in the end?

5.       There were many secrets hidden by characters in the novel.  Which ones were eventually revealed?  Were you satisfied with the answers?  Were there other things in the novel that you felt were unresolved?

a.       Father Elio – He hoped God would forgive him for “his terrible sin” (page 2).

b.       Nonno – On page 151 he told Leo he was “sorry about the mountains.  I should have just crawled under the snow and stayed with you and your brother.  Everything’s been bad since I left you.”

c.       Nonno – “Why he bore a personal guilt about the fountain’s missing water was a mystery” (page 129).

6.       Why do you think restoring the water in the fountain had such an impact on the life of the town?

7.       Were you surprised to discover that the artist Giotto Di Bondone died 200 years before the church was built?  Who do you think painted the fresco?

8.       This book was published in 2003.  When you read about Leo’s experience as an alter boy for Father Elio, the author wrote, “Leo had always considered Father Elio to be God’s hand on earth; he’d certainly felt that hand across the back of his head and regions further south enough times” (page 89).  Remembering the publication date, what do you think the author meant?  What was your first thought?

9.       What was your favorite part of the book?

10.   Did you like the ending?  Was it satisfying?  Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?

The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff

 

Wife #19: A Desert Mystery By Jordan Scott

The 19th Wife, by Ann Eliza Young Published 1875

BeckyLyn – mother and wife #19 Husband – murdered at computer Jordan Scott – son, expelled from group at age 14 “Queenie” (Elizabeth the Second) – daughter, Jordan’s sister   BeckyLyn’s sister wives: Sister Rita - #1 Sister Sherry Sister Kimberly – last wife, Sarah 5’s mother   Mr. Heber – BeckyLyn’s lawyer Maureen – secretary   Brother Hiram Alton – Queenie’s husband, police, investigated murder   Sarah 5 – waitress, escaped cult, married to Jordan’s dad (page 382)   Sister Karen – postmistress, conductor of underground railroad to help girls escape   Roland – Jordan’s friend Elektra – dog   Johnny Drury – expelled like Jordan   Ann Eliza Young House Kelly Dee – volunteer, master’s program BYU

Joseph Smith – prophet   Brigham Young – carpenter, replaced Smith as head of group Ann Eliza Young – wife #19, author of book Mary Ann Angell – wife #1 Amelia – favorite wife, got most of estate   Elizabeth Churchill Chauncey Webb Ann Eliza – daughter, married to Brigham Young 1868 (2nd husband), author of book Gilbert – Elizabeth’s son Lydia Taft – house girl, became 2nd wife Eleanor and Margaret Oaks- wives #3 and #4 Mrs. Cox – wife #5   James Dee – Ann Eliza’s first husband James and Lorenzo – sons with Dee   Boarders – helped with escape: Major James Burton Pond Judge and Mrs. Albert Hagan   Friends: Rev. and Mrs. Stratton – Methodist, helped with escape   Major Ford – promoter and manager

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the paperback edition.

1.       How much does appearance factor in to how we think about people?  On page 61, Jordan wrote that Joseph “had a presence unlike most men, with eyes wide and blue, and the stature of a man who knows his place in history.”

2.       The Mormon church banned plural marriages in 1890. In Jordan’s family history, Ann Eliza was despised and referred to as “that woman” (page 131).  Her book, The 19^th Wife, was thought to be “Nothing but a pack of lies” (page 131).  Can the church simply ignore their history?  Is this fair to the men and woman who were forced into this practice?

3.       If only wife #1 would spend eternity with her husband (page 119), who would the successive wives spend eternity with?  Knowing that, why would anyone become a second wife?  Were there advantages?

4.       Why did Brigham Young send Chauncey and Gilbert on a Mission to England which cost them their livelihood and business?  Was he jealous of their financial success?

5.       When Elder Joseph Hovey came to Payson, his purpose was to get people to repent of their sins.  After a while, people started to invent sins to confess (page 174-175).  Why?

6.       In the story “A Desert Mystery”, were you surprised that BeckyLyn went back to Mesadale after she was released from prison?  Why do you think she did?

7.       In this story, what part did Sarah 5 play?    Before you read who the real killer was, what did you think had happened?

8.       Discuss your reading experience with this book.  What did you like or not like?  How difficult was it to follow along with the two story lines with close to the same title?

9.       Did you like the combination of the two stories?  Did they complement each other?  Could one or the other have stood on their own?

10.   In the Author’s Notes, the author stated that he wrote all of the sections that appeared to be non-fiction: Wikipedia entry, articles and letters from the LDS Archives, etc.   Also, the web address www.2wives.com is not real.   How did these additions add to or detract from your reading?

11.   How important was it for you to know what was real and what was fiction?

12.   This book was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and a finalist for the Utah Book Award as well as others.  In your opinion, did it deserve these honors?  Why or why not?

*****

First Semester Success: 2nd Edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com and wordassociation.com.

Tangerine, by Edward Bloor

Characters
Lake Windsor Downs – the Seagulls	Tangerine Middle School – the War Eagles
Paul Fisher Erik – “Erik Fisher Football Dream” Caroline Fisher – mother Dad   Football – Lake Windsor Seagulls Coach Warner Antoine Thomas – quarterback Mike Costello – ball holder, killed by lightning Arthur Bauer – new ball holder Bryan Baylor - center   Soccer – Mr. Walski - coach Tommy Acoso Gino Deluca   Mr. Costello – lawyer, HoA president Jack Costello – Paul’s friend   Mr. Donnelly – house always struck by lightning Terry - son   Tina Turreton – Arthur’s girlfriend Paige – Arthur’s sister	Middle School soccer: Betty Bright – coach, former track and field star Tino Cruz Victor Guzman Hernando Maya Panethi Shandra Thomas – goaltender, Antoine’s sister Nina Dolly   Middle School: Dr. Grace Johnson – principal Theresa Cruz – Paul’s escort first day   Luis Cruz – Tino and Theresa’s brother, developed new, improved tangerine “Golden Dawn”
Civil Engineering Department Charley Burns – department head, retired in controversy Dad- became department head

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers from paperback edition.

1.       When Mike was killed by the lightning, Paul’s mother tried to get the football practice times changed to a safer time in the day.  But Coach Warner saw moving the practice time as destroying the team.  He said that, for some boys like Antoine, football was the only way to get to college.  Caroline saw the practice as putting kids in harm’s way while Coach Warner saw it as preparing them for an actual game.  Who was right?

2.       When the sinkhole gave way and the portable classrooms started to fall into the hole, Paul did not run away.  Instead, without thinking, he ran toward the hole and helped pull students out.  Later he thought, “I’m still afraid of Erik.  I’m afraid of Arthur now, too.  But today I wasn’t a coward, and that counts for something” (page 86).  How did this experience change Paul? 

3.       As you were reading, what did you think happened to Paul’s eyes?

4.       When Paul was asking to transfer to Tangerine without his IEP, he also said, “Dad, I don’t mind if you never pay any attention to me for the rest of my life” (page 94).  His dad was very surprised at this.  Should he have been more aware of Paul and not so wrapped up in Erik’s career?

5.       Why did Paul fit in better at Tangerine than at Lake Windsor?

6.       On Monday, November 20, Paul had his project group from Tangerine over to his house to complete their project.  Erik came home and was taunting the group and eventually hit Tino.  When Erik walked away, he looked at Paul and Paul saw an expression, “more like sorrow.  Or fear” (page 206).  Paul also thought he saw his father at the patio door, but he just walked away.  What emotions do you think Erik was feeling?  Why do you think the father did not intervene?

7.       After Mike’s tragic death, why did the kids start to make fun of it and call Mike “Mohawk Man?”

8.       Was it right for the TV station to replay the tape of “Erik Fisher Flying Placekicker” over and over?  Did the station have a responsibility to be fair to a teenager?  Was it fair to Erik for the coach to not tell him about the change in the play?

9.       After it was discovered that Erik and Arthur had stolen from all of the houses being fumigated, Erik’s parents offered to return or repay all of the victims in exchange for them not pressing charges.  Was this a good thing to do?  Would you have done the same?

10.   After the police left the Fisher house, Caroline’s parents arrived for their visit.  Upon hearing the story, her mother said, “You’re paying now for what you didn’t do back then” (page 287).  When Caroline and Dad replied that Erik didn’t need a doctor, Caroline’s dad said, “The kid needed to know which end was up, that’s all. First off, he needed to get his backside whipped for hurting Paul” (page 287).  Was that “all” Erik needed?

11.   What did you think about Paul’s parents?  His mother seemed very involved in the community and schools, but did not go to Paul’s soccer games.  His father at the end, “seemed more like those friends who had abandoned Erik, who now regretted ever getting involved with him in the first place” (page 300).

12.   In Paul’s second journal entry for Tuesday, December 5 (page 302), he wrote about Luis and what he meant to the people who knew him and then tried to write the same about Erik.  He ended with the question, “Why did they look up to him?”   Why do you think people looked up to Erik?  What do you think his parents thought as they were reading what he wrote?

13.   What do you think Paul and his father talked about on their way to Paul’s new school at the end of the book?

14.   Do you think a teenager would think about this book differently than an adult?  If so, how?

*****

First Semester Success, 2nd Edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com and wordassociation.com.