Book Discussion Questions and Menus
Each novel in The Bibliophiles series features two pieces of classic literature that are guaranteed to spark some great conversations, as well as some interesting topics of their own as well. Here are some sample discussion questions and menu ideas.
P.S. I am available for Book Club meetings either in person (if you live in the Chicago area) or through Skype or FaceTime and would love to chat with yours. Drop me an email at karen(at)karenberner(dot)com.
A WHISPER TO A SCREAM (THE BIBLIOPHILES: BOOK ONE)
Food and Beverages
Lasagna and Chianti, like Sarah’s brother Greg brings for Christmas. I would suggest one traditional, one veggie and one with some sort of white sauce. I have a great recipe for a mushroom-chicken lasagna. If you would like it, drop me an email at karen(at)karenberner(dot)com.
For dessert? Obviously, the official drinks of A Whisper to a Scream — chai tea latte and peppermint mocha.
Discussion Questions
By Geraldine A. Young
1. As a stay-at-home mother of two young children, Sarah has definite concerns about her life. What does her self image say about her frame of mind?
2. Annie feels uncomfortable with John’s extended family because of her failed attempts at having children. Do you think Anne overreacts when she hears her sister-in-law is pregnant with a third child?
How is Sarah's reaction some of her in-laws different or similar to Annie's reaction to her own in-laws?
3. What do you think of frequent Tom's late nights at work ? Would you say Tom or John, in the first chapters of the book, appears the most supportive husband and family man?
4. Annie and Sarah both have very busy lives, Annie as vice president of a public relations firm and Sarah as a homemaker. Do you think they are unreasonable to be dissatisfied with the life they each chose? Are their situations typical or atypical for many women? Who do you sympathize with the most?
4. Was a book club a good choice for Sarah to spend some time away from her housework and chores? What other activities could she have chosen? How important are Edwina Hipplewhite and the Classics Book Club to Annie and Sarah at this time?
5. Sarah's mother is supportive of her in every way. How is Annie's mother different in responding to her daughter's need to have a child?
6. Annie and John waited to have successful careers before starting a family. Now John is not sure he even wants a child. Do you think Annie, by considering artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, is going too far in trying to have children?
7. Even after learning about their diagnosis of "unexplained infertility," why is Annie not open to adoption?
8. Sarah's visit to Tom during his business trip to Boston seems to change things between them. How is this significant?
9. Were you surprised when Annie was asked to take a leave of absence from work? Why or why not?
10. Annie and Sarah both have ethical and religious decisions to consider, Annie regarding fertility treatments that her church frowns on, and Sarah about prolonging or cutting short the life of her mother who is in a vegetative state. What do you think of the decisions that were made?
11. What is the importance of the garden that Sarah and her family planted after the death of Sarah's mother?
12. Anne tells John to leave, after she found out about his affair with Melanie. Did Annie's decision to cut John out of her life for good seem inevitable? If you were to write a sequel to this novel, what would you plan for Annie? Do you find her a sympathetic or unsympathetic character?
13. In the last chapter, the book club discusses Shakespeare's play, As You Like It. Does this add another level of meaning to the ending of the book?
14. How apt is the title of the book, A Whisper to a Scream? How many people or situations in the book could this apply to?
15. What do you think the author's message was in this novel?
A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce
Food and Beverages
James Joyce was Irish, so naturally, Guinness must be served. Pair that with bite-sized ruben sandwiches or bangers (sausages) and mash (mashed potatoes). A Bailey’s Irish Cream cheesecake would be lovely for dessert.
Discussion Questions
1. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is known for its innovative use of stream of consciousness. As Stephen ages, the writing becomes more sophisticated. How does that enhance or detract from the overall novel?
2. What role does Emma play?
3. Religion focuses prominently here. How does it motivate Stephen’s actions?
AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
Food and Beverages
In lieu of someone hosting the book club for this one, wouldn’t it be fun if your group attended a Shakespeare in the Park performance like The Bibliophiles instead? One of you could even wear a huge hat like Edwina Hipplewhite, if you choose. Afterward, head to the restaurant of your choice that has outdoor dining.
Discussion Questions
1. One of the main themes of As You Like It is country life versus city life. Can a person’s sense of balance really be restored by a few days in the country?
2. Analyze Jaques’ famous “All the world’s a stage” speech. What does it mean to you?
3. Love, obviously plays a large role in the play. How are the themes of true love versus romantic love and appearances versus reality illustrated here by Shakespeare?
UNTIL MY SOUL GETS IT RIGHT (THE BIBLIOPHILES: BOOK TWO)
Food and Beverages
Think of something to represent each of Catherine’s locations. How about cheese curds or bratwurst from Wisconsin, lobster rolls or wild blueberry cake from Maine, and Tex Mex for San Diego. To drink? Corona beer with lime, of course!
Discussion Questions
By Geraldine A. Young
1. An overbearing mother and a distant father. What do you think of young Catherine's perception of her parents, Clara and Hank?
2. The seventeen-year-old Catherine describes her farm town as sanctimonious and "smug, full of hypocrisy and stupidity." Is she reacting as many teenagers normally would, growing up in a small town with "traditional values"? Or is there something different about Catherine's attitude?
3. Burkesville is a boring town with nothing to offer her except a life just like her mother's, thinks Catherine. What kind of future do Clara and Hank want for Catherine? What does Catherine envision for herself?
4. When Hank forbids Catherine to play the role of Ado Annie in the school play, Oklahoma!, what reasons does he give? Why does she think her parents treat her differently from her brothers?
5. Catherine's mother discusses college scholarships with her and tells her, "You're not good enough for a full ride." Catherine feels her mother is scornful of her. Do you think this is true? Does Catherine herself exhibit any scornful attitudes?
6. Are you surprised at her parents' reaction when Catherine decides to leave home for good? What has fueled her decision, and has she has made the right choice?
7. There is freedom, a job, and new friends in Maine for Catherine, a happy situation that does not last. How does her advice to her coworker Patsy destroy her friendship with her employer Katie McLellan? Do you think Catherine's advice to Patsy about Scott was genuine or fueled by self interest?
8. In San Diego, Catherine meets her new love interest, Will, at her workplace, the San Diego Zoo. How does this job help Catherine develop and grow?
9. Is Catherine right in being angry with Will for keeping secrets from her about his family? Is her reaction to Will's family reasonable? Are you sympathetic or not with her complaints?
10. Catherine returns to Burkesville for the first time to attend her father's funeral. Has her mother changed her attitude toward Catherine after all this time? Clara says that Catherine has always been ungrateful, even as a child. Do you agree or disagree with Clara's assessment of her daughter?
11. After her marriage and move to Naperville, Catherine begins to reconsider her life and to wonder what make her happy or unhappy. Does this self questioning lead to a gradual change in Catherine's attitudes and activities?
12. Catherine felt out of place both in the farm town of Burkesville and in the sophisticated surroundings of Will's home in Naperville. Why does she feel more at home in her area of Naperville?
13. How does Edwina Hipplewhite and the Classics Book Club influence Catherine's new life?
14. The title of the book is Until My Soul Gets It Right. Discuss what it may mean in terms of Catherine's story—her family in Burkesville, her estranged friends in Portland, Maine, and her current life in Naperville.
15. At the end of the book, to what degree has Catherine reached the goal suggested by the book's title?
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW AND OTHER TALES by Washington Irving
Food and Beverages
Sleepy Hollow is a Dutch settlement, so how about Kaasstengels (Dutch cheese stems) with some Erwtensoep (traditional Dutch split pea soup)? Apple and/or pumpkin pie would be lovely for dessert. How about some Advocaat, which is similar to eggnog, to warm up the evening?
For recipes, click on the dish: Kaasstengels and Advocaat .
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the love triangle between Brom Bones, Katrina Van Tassel and Ichabod Crane. Who do you think Katrina fancies more?
2. The story illustrates the age-old conflict between brains versus brawn. Which do you prefer in a man?
3. How does the actual story differ from the versions you have seen in the movies or on TV?
THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller
Food and Beverages
Puritan fare. Serve cornbread, roasted turkey and stewed pumpkin with ginger, butter and vinegar. To drink, Puritans preferred beer, wine or cider.
Discussion Questions
1. The Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony established a theocracy, in which religion and government became intertwined. What do you think life would be like living in a theocracy?
2. Do you think people nowadays could be easily swept up into the hysteria that plagued Salem?
3. Salem is clearly a patriarchal society. Discuss the village women and their roles. Would the witch trials have happened if more men were accused? How do you think the proceedings would have changed?
A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE (THE BIBLIOPHILES: BOOK THREE)
Food and Beverages
One could sit down with a nice cup of tea and some cucumber sandwiches, which our dear Thaddeus would be sure to love. Or maybe order from your favorite tapas restaurant and recreate Thaddeus and Spring's first date at Meson Sabika.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Thaddeus hated baseball, especially since he was so good at it?
2. What is the significance of Thaddeus calling his father “Coach” both on the field and at home for several years during his youth? How does that affect their relationship?
3. Spring’s parents, Bob and Donna Pearson, marched for civil and women’s rights, yet the case could be made that they were, at times, neglectful parents. How are these two facts reconciled?
4. Although not as vocal with her protests as Bob and Donna, Maureen Mumblegarden fought her own battles within her home for women’s rights and particularly for her son’s well-being. What influence does his mother have on Thaddeus?
5. Spring and Thaddeus have drastically different upbringings. Her youth was peppered with unlimited freedom, while his clearly did not have enough. How do you think their backgrounds will affect their marriage?
6. Joshua Gable’s reemergence into Spring’s life causes her to take pause. Do you think it was realistic of him to ask her to honor their drunken pinkie-swear promise? Were you surprised by Spring’s response?
7. Do you think Joshua really loved Spring, or was he just ready to settle down and wanted a wife?
8. With the substantial age difference between them, some fifteen years or more, Thaddeus and Spring’s relationship is a textbook May-December romance. Why do you think Spring falls in love with Thaddeus and prefers him to Joshua?
9. A Groovy Kind of Love is a book about love. Obviously, Thaddeus and Spring’s romance takes center stage, but what about the other great loves in the story? Thaddeus’s love of England? The couples’ love of books? Spring’s love for the juice bar Ambrosia? How do these passions also shape the main characters’ lives?
10. This being the final Bibliophiles novel, how have the relationships of the Classics Book Club members grown over the three books? What does the future look like for Sarah, Annie, Catherine, Thaddeus, Spring, Rosemary, Larry, and Edwina?
ON THE ROAD by Jack Kerouac
Food and Beverages
Take a sampling from the locations that feature prominently in the novel, such as gumbo from New Orleans, crab claws from San Francisco, hamburgers from the Philadelphia lunch carts, or maybe even the salami-and-mustard sandwiches. Provide craft beers from around the country for your beverages. Don’t be a square and forget to play some jazz in the background!
Discussion Questions
1. Sal thinks the east is boring and wrapped up in the establishment, while the west is new and free. Do his opinions change when he actually visits the west?
2. What are Sal and Dean’s views of America? What do they learn from their road trips?
3. Jazz music plays a role throughout the novel. How is it used and what does it symbolize?
PERSUASION by Jane Austen
Food and Beverages
To Regency England we go for a Yorkshire Pie, which was many kinds of meat encased within a lovely crust, like the one the Musgroves indulged in. If you’d like to go a touch smaller, Cornish pasties are a great option and are very easy to make. A trifle or plum pudding would make excellent desserts. For beverages, mulled wine and tea, of course.
Discussion Questions
1. Social class and upward mobility play a large role in Persuasion. What part does the naval profession play in this trend?
2. How is the traditional English gentleman portrayed in this novel? What does one make of Sir Walter?
3. Persuasion was published posthumously and is considered by some to be Austen’s finest work. What do you think? How does it compare in your mind to her other novels?