Elizabeth
asked
Susan Meissner:
Do you have any Book club discussion questions for Bright as Heaven? It was my pick and I enjoyed it tremendously!!
Susan Meissner
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[So terribly sorry I missed this! But, yes! Here the questions for you:
Discussion questions for AS BRIGHT AS HEAVEN
1. How would you describe the family dynamics between the Bright sisters and the rest of the family before the flu? How about after? Do the Bright sisters remind you of people you know?
2. How did the Spanish Flu pandemic shape the Bright sisters’ adult lives? Did you experience a life-defining event in your childhood? How did it affect you?
3. Would As Bright As Heaven be a different story if only one character had told it instead of four? How?
4. Could you relate to Pauline’s relationship with Death after the loss of her infant son and the move to Philadelphia? Why or why not?
5. Discuss Maggie’s actions on the day she found the baby. How did her choices affect her family? Do you empathize with her decisions?
6. What do you think of Evie’s final solution to her dilemma regarding Conrad? What would you have done?
7. What did the speakeasy represent to fourteen-year-old Willa?
8. Forgiving Pauline’s parents wasn’t easy for Thomas Bright. Do you think what happened to Pauline was their fault? What is the most difficult part of forgiving someone, in your opinion?
9. In the book Pauline’s mother says: “The heart always does what it needs to do.” What do you think she meant? Do you agree?
10. The subtle presence of butterflies appear throughout the book. How many of the references to them can you recall? What do you think they signify?
11. Has this novel changed you or your perspective on life and death? Did you learn something new about yourself or the way you think?
(hide spoiler)]
Discussion questions for AS BRIGHT AS HEAVEN
1. How would you describe the family dynamics between the Bright sisters and the rest of the family before the flu? How about after? Do the Bright sisters remind you of people you know?
2. How did the Spanish Flu pandemic shape the Bright sisters’ adult lives? Did you experience a life-defining event in your childhood? How did it affect you?
3. Would As Bright As Heaven be a different story if only one character had told it instead of four? How?
4. Could you relate to Pauline’s relationship with Death after the loss of her infant son and the move to Philadelphia? Why or why not?
5. Discuss Maggie’s actions on the day she found the baby. How did her choices affect her family? Do you empathize with her decisions?
6. What do you think of Evie’s final solution to her dilemma regarding Conrad? What would you have done?
7. What did the speakeasy represent to fourteen-year-old Willa?
8. Forgiving Pauline’s parents wasn’t easy for Thomas Bright. Do you think what happened to Pauline was their fault? What is the most difficult part of forgiving someone, in your opinion?
9. In the book Pauline’s mother says: “The heart always does what it needs to do.” What do you think she meant? Do you agree?
10. The subtle presence of butterflies appear throughout the book. How many of the references to them can you recall? What do you think they signify?
11. Has this novel changed you or your perspective on life and death? Did you learn something new about yourself or the way you think?
(hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
MARILYN BOERIO
asked
Susan Meissner:
I loved The Fall of Marigolds which I just completed. interesting that the word fall in the title has several references both to the season of autumn(9-11: Clara's visit to NY: Taryn's visit with Mrs. Stauer) as well as the fall from the towers and fire. I need to ask if Eleanor is the woman to whom Clara gave the trunk? Again, I loved the book which was recommended to me by 2 friends. mboerio@cinci..rr.com
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