- Questions 1-3
- Questions 4-6
- Questions 7-9
- Questions 10-12
- Question 13
1. In the epigraph of DAHLIA'S GONE, Katie Estill quotes St. Exupery:
2. In the first chapter, Sand makes a casual promise to Norah, out of her sense of being "a good neighbor." Later, shaken by ensuing events, Sand contemplates the meaning of giving her word(pp. 114-115) Do you agree with her? Does she keep her promise to Norah? What does the concept of being a "good neighbor" mean to you? Is the concept even relevant in an urban world? When, if ever, do you need to be able to count on "your neighbors?"
3. Is this novel saying there is only a thin line separating civilization from depravity/horror? Do we have a vocabulary--spritual, moral, cultural or otherwise--for those times when evil(ugliness or whatever you want to call it) visits our ordinary spaces?
"Of what can we be certain except this-- that we are fertilized by mysterious circumstances?"Why might she have chosen it? Does this perspective shape the ensuing story? Can you cite any examples in the novel wherein human life is "fertilized by mysterious circumstances?"
2. In the first chapter, Sand makes a casual promise to Norah, out of her sense of being "a good neighbor." Later, shaken by ensuing events, Sand contemplates the meaning of giving her word(pp. 114-115) Do you agree with her? Does she keep her promise to Norah? What does the concept of being a "good neighbor" mean to you? Is the concept even relevant in an urban world? When, if ever, do you need to be able to count on "your neighbors?"
3. Is this novel saying there is only a thin line separating civilization from depravity/horror? Do we have a vocabulary--spritual, moral, cultural or otherwise--for those times when evil(ugliness or whatever you want to call it) visits our ordinary spaces?
4. Which character/s do you find most appealing in the novel? Which are least sympathetic? Does your judgement change over the course of the book? if so, why?
5. Each of the main characters (Sand, Norah & Patti) is or has been married in this story. Discuss Sand and Norah's marriages. What aspects make one marriage appear to be happy and the other not, even before the tragedy of losing a child? Patti is divorced. If patti should remarry in the future, what do you think she'll be looking for?
6. Describe your reactions to Timothy. What kinds of assumptions does the character of Timothy force you to reconsider?
5. Each of the main characters (Sand, Norah & Patti) is or has been married in this story. Discuss Sand and Norah's marriages. What aspects make one marriage appear to be happy and the other not, even before the tragedy of losing a child? Patti is divorced. If patti should remarry in the future, what do you think she'll be looking for?
6. Describe your reactions to Timothy. What kinds of assumptions does the character of Timothy force you to reconsider?
7. The story of the Everstons is a tragic story of a blended family that does not blend. Is it fair to say that in some ways their interactions with one another led to a perfect storm of violence? Discuss some of the factors that led to violence in this seemingly normal family, and what would have needed to occur to avert domestic violence.
8. How does Patti Callahan deal with being a woman in an otherwise male department of law enforcement? Does she make a difference to the quality of life in Weleda County?
9. At one point, the river in this novel is described philosophically as being both constant and in a constant state of change. Is this description, in your view, a contradiction, as Timothy and Dahlia saw it, (p. 137) or a paradox? What's the difference? How do the main characters in this novel relate to the river, literally or symbolically? Does the river take on a meaning for you as a reader?
8. How does Patti Callahan deal with being a woman in an otherwise male department of law enforcement? Does she make a difference to the quality of life in Weleda County?
9. At one point, the river in this novel is described philosophically as being both constant and in a constant state of change. Is this description, in your view, a contradiction, as Timothy and Dahlia saw it, (p. 137) or a paradox? What's the difference? How do the main characters in this novel relate to the river, literally or symbolically? Does the river take on a meaning for you as a reader?
10. What is the significance of Patti's trip to California? What barriers, internal or external, does she surmount? How does this experience influence Patti's final scenes in the novel?
11. Religion and spirituality are themes touched upon in this novel. How do the main characters' relationship to religion and spirituality differ, resemble each other, or evolve?
12. Near the end of the novel, Norah makes a desperate decision regarding her son, then suddenly has a change of heart (pp 223-225.) How would you describe what she experiences? Also, how does this sentiment affect the novel's end?
11. Religion and spirituality are themes touched upon in this novel. How do the main characters' relationship to religion and spirituality differ, resemble each other, or evolve?
12. Near the end of the novel, Norah makes a desperate decision regarding her son, then suddenly has a change of heart (pp 223-225.) How would you describe what she experiences? Also, how does this sentiment affect the novel's end?
13. Why and how do Sand and Norah eventually connect with each other emotionally? What does each of them have to do? Is there a spiritual or moral component to this kind of friendship building?