August 2011: Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

Meeting Details:
        We'll be meeting at Erin's place on August 4th at 7:30pm.

Menu:  TBA

Discussion Questions:

1. Did you enjoy the book?  Why or why not?
2. "Thou shalt not emote." How does this strong Presbyterian ethic influence the children's ongoing relationships and future?
3. If the children had been separated after the loss of their parents, how different do you think their lives would have been?
4. Discuss the close bond between Kate and Matt - why do you think they became so close?
5. The Pye family's disturbing history is like a Greek tragedy - the sins of the fathers are visited on the sons. The pattern seems like it cannot be broken.  Discuss the different patterns in the Crow Lake families that are passed on unbroken to the next generation.
6. Great grandmother's famous book stand becomes a symbol of the importance of education to further oneself.  How important was this to the choices that the Morrison children made?  Do you think that this entrenched faith in the value of education was justified?  How fulfilled are each of the characters ultimately, with or without education?
7. The burden of raising the younger sisters falls heavily on Luke and Matt's shoulders.  How do they handle the responsibility?  How does it effect the outcome of their lives?
8. What is the importance of Mary Lawson's portrayal of  the natural world - the pond life and the farming landscape - to the story line?
9. Daniel accused Kate of not showing understanding or empathy and underestimating the other's lives.  What do you think of the adult Kate?  How has her failure to forgive effected her and Matt's lives and happiness? 
10. How is guilt a motivating factor in all the children's choices and relationships?
11. What do you imagine the future holds for Kate and Daniel? and her relationship with Matt?