Faithful by Alice Hoffman

Thanks to everyone who came out for our social night last month -- you all looked gorgeous are our "wear THAT dress" event! 

We will faithfully reconvene for book discussion of Faithful by Alice Hoffman this coming Wednesday to round out the school year (suggested discussion questions below) and then make plans for summer reading.  Bring your ideas!  We are planning on taking July off and will instead pick a date in early August for our next meeting.



Discussion Questions:

1. What does the title mean?  Faithful to whom? to what?
2. What is an orderly at a hospital?
3. How long can someone survive in a coma?
4. Who did you think was sending her the postcards?
5. What is the role of money?  For example, if Shelby's parent had money, would there have been a lawsuit against the hospital?  Would Shelby have become friends with Maravelle?
6. Shelby regrets never letting Ben know that she loved him (p157).  Did she love him?
7. Themes:
-Black/white (animals/snow/clothing) and blue/gold (his drawings/the stars) -- too trite?  or do they work?
-Secrets: What role do they serve?  Should the "grownups" have told the kids about Marcus and the restraining order?  What it have helped Teddy?
8. Format:
-Is this a novel or a collection of stories?  Tie in to "The Illustrated Man" by Ray Bradbury.
-Does the format work?  Does this read like a diary or is there an arc?
9. What is Shelby's story?  James tells her that Helene is not her story.  Is he right?  Or do other people always have a different view of what is our story because they can't see inside us?
10. What is it about fourth grade?  Did you have a traumatic elementary school event?
11. Do you have a doppelganger like Shelby's tattoo girl?  Is there a significant decision in your past you return to to imagine your alternative life?

Follow-up:

Hey Mamas,

Thanks to everyone for coming out last night to discuss Faithful by Alice Hoffman.  While it may not have been our favorite read, Corinne's patio looked super festive with the strings of light illuminating multiple pitchers of (ahem, incredibly strong) margaritas.

Please join us in August as we discuss Signs for Lost Children by Sarah Moss.

See you there!

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