Book Discussion Group
November 4, 20009
The group gave this book a solid 4 with only a couple of people giving a three or five rating.
The book didn't generate as much discussion as some of our other titles have, but many of the members were able to relate to characters and offer their own experiences for comparison. That said, the entire group could relate the humor and emotional struggles in the story. We had a pretty good time.
Some Discussion Points:
1. Did you feel that the relationships and characters were believable?
2. How did you feel about the men in this story? Do you think they were represented fairly?
3. Were you satisfied with the way each character resolved their issues by the end of the book?
4. Was there a main character that you did not like? Why?
5. Which main character grew or changed the most by the end of the book? ]]>
Book Discussion Group
September 23, 2000
The rating was really more like 3 1/2. Our group had a good discussion, and the book was intersting, the but the violence and subject matter made it hard for some to say they enjoyed the reading experience. Most of the group agreed that everyone should read A Long Way Gone or a similar story dealing with the way children, families, and societies are affected by war.
Discussion Points
1. Did you feel drawn into the story? If not, was it due to the writing or to the reader?
2. How did you feel about the way Ishmael and his friends were treated as they traveled? Do you think this treatment was justified?
3. The military in Sierra Leone went from protecting the villages to looting them just like the RUF. What do you think caused this change in behavior towards civilians?
4. Storytelling is a big part of Ishmael's culture. If this memoir was a fable, what do you think the moral would be?
5. Do you think that it's easy to show kindness when things are going well, or do you think that people show more kindness during tragedy and danger?
6. What do you think it is like for the boys to know they are capable of terrible acts in terrible circumstances?
7. What was UNICEF's intial rehabilitation mistake, and what does it reveal about the process of stopping war?
8. Why does it make Ishmael so angry when the rehabilitation center workers keep telling him that nothing was his fault?
9. How did you feel about Ishmael leaving Sierra Leone after his uncle died? Do you think he made the right decision?
10. Did you find any parallels between the story of the monkey and the hunter, and Ishmael's own story?
11. How did you feel about where Ishmael chose to end his story? ]]>
Book Discussion Group
August 12, 2009
The wonderful Leslie was kind enough to lead the group, as I was vacationing in Yellowstone. I am told that the discussion was a really good one, and that the book recieved fair to high reviews from the group. ]]>
Book Discussion Group
July 1, 2009
Most of the group gave the book a rating of four, but there were a few people who gave a vote of three or five stars. Not everyone enjoyed Bryson's humor or style, but it was still a fantasticly enjoyable discussion. Everyone seemed able to relate to the story regardless of where or when they grew up. The Childrens Department (halfway across the building) can attest that we had a great time for nearly two hours.
Several members of the group have also recommended Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish for those who are interested in a somewhat similar memoir by a female.
Some Discussion Points
1. Bryson flows from topic to topic, and may return to a particular strain of thought pages, or chapters later. How did you feel about his storytelling abilities?
2. Bryson seems to focus on the embarrassments of life, and even to relish them. Were you surprised by the irreverent way that he describes his schoolmates and neighbors?
3. While reading the book, I couldn’t help but remember some of my most embarrassing moments. How would you have felt if one of your quirks or embarrassing moments were included in a memoir?
4. How do you think children of this generation will remember childhood? Do you think that everyone can find parallels between their childhood and Bryson’s?
5. How do you think people today compare to people of Bryson’s childhood. Do you think the people are different, or just their surroundings?
6. What did you think of Bryson as he and his friends became teenagers?
7. Fear of Teenagers- has anything changed?
8. Did any facts in the book surprise you? Ex: nuclear detonations as tourist attractions in Nevada
9. How did Bryson’s descriptions of life in the times of nuclear testing and Joe McCarthy make you feel about life today?
10. When you were growing up, did you wish for a secret identity?
11. Are there any lessons to take away from Bryson’s memoir?
12. If you have read any of Bryson’s other books, how did this one compare?
13. Were there any specific passages that you liked or disliked? Why?
14. Did you have a favorite character, or someone you identified with other than Bryson?
15. Bill said that in the 50’s, people felt invincible. Why do you think this was?
16. Do you think every generation has things that make them 'different and special', or do you think that our society really has lost something it had when Bryson was growing up?
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Marion Book Group
added a quote:
"The books we think we ought to read are poky, dull, and dry;
The books that we would like to read we are ashamed to buy;
The books that people talk about we never can recall;
And the books that people give us, oh, they're the worst of all. " — Carolyn Wells
"The books we think we ought to read are poky, dull, and dry;
The books that we would like to read we are ashamed to buy;
The books that people talk about we never can recall;
And the books that people give us, oh, they're the worst of all. " — Carolyn Wells
Marion Book Group
read and liked
Erin's
review of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir:
"the bloody head-bashing-in-story.
that was the critical turning point in the novel-reading for me, personally. the moment i realized bill bryson is a comedic wonderchild. the moment i was simultaneously overjoyed to have discovered him as ...more "
"the bloody head-bashing-in-story.
that was the critical turning point in the novel-reading for me, personally. the moment i realized bill bryson is a comedic wonderchild. the moment i was simultaneously overjoyed to have discovered him as ...more "
Book Discussion Group
January 14, 2009 (rescheduled to Jan 21 due to weather).
Last night the entire group gave ratings of either 4 or 5!
Some discussion points:
1. Were you surprised with the outcome of the story?
2. How did you feel about the writing style, and the way the point of view switched between characters?
3. If this is not the first Ann Patchett book you have read, how did it measure up?
4. If Bernadette had lived, do you think the boys would have turned out differently?
5. What do you think the title means? What was the author trying to accomplish with this book?
6. What was the purpose of having so many characters with the same names?
7. Do you think Tennessee should have told Kenya about her true identity?
8. How do you feel about Sullivan? Do you believe he really cares about Kenya even though he lies, steals, and manipulates others?
9. Would you have given the statue to Kenya? If not, who would you have given it to? ]]>