By Katie,
The man who “fathered” Dominick and Thomas is quite the mystery. Do we have any theories as to who he could be? Do we believe we will ever get an answer to the Birdsey’s paternity?
What about Nerda Frank? Do we think she ever returns? And Papa’s autobiography will ever return with answers for Dominick?
How do we feel about the collapse of Dessa and Dominick’s marriage? And Dominick’s substitute relationship with Joy?
There seems to be a lot to analyze in just the first half of the book! I have not read any book club discussions like I usually do for this intro because I didn’t want to spoil anything for myself. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Hi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Hope all is well with you and the family. We are good despite the craziness going on in our country. The kids are back to school after winter break. I think a lot of people had really high hopes of 2021 instantly ending all the chaos of 2020 but that doesn't seem to be the case here. haha.
I have to confess. I finished the book. I was very engrossed in the novel and couldn't wait to know what would happen. Have you read the whole thing too? Or did you have the will power to stop at the halfway point?
I will wait to hear from you and see how far you've gone before discussing anything so as not to spoil anything for you if you haven't finished.
Much love,
Katie
After completing this novel, which resolution to Dominick’s mysteries surprised you the most?
ReplyDeleteDid the conclusion of this novel feel “right” to you?
Was there any female character that you particularly liked or disliked? At the end, Concettina is considered a “strong” character for her fortitude raising twins among her stoicism while dealing with abusive male relations. Do you agree that Concettina was a strong character?
How did you feel about Dominick’s habit of leaking bits of his past to the reader? Was Mr. Lamb’s teases what made you continue reading despite our attempt to stop halfway?
I am also open to any questions you have for me!
-Katie
Hi Katie,
ReplyDeleteIt seems to have taken me a long time to get around to writing this comment. It is quite awhile since I’ve finished our story. It was such a massive size I found it quite challenging, but also found it intriguing enough to finish it without spanning it over two months.
With a novel of this size there are many characters and time frames and situations to think about. I will jump straight to the end though and answer your question about that first.
I was disappointed in the ending. Mr Lamb seemed to tie up all loose ends and give us a happily ever after. The rest of the novel felt more real and honest and even brutal at times. I know Thomas’ death was tragic, but I feel it again allowed Dominick to escape.
I found most of the female characters to be quite powerful and strong, both those from the past and present day characters. However I’m not sure if I’d put Concettina in that category. I feel she was long suffering and endured much abuse and pain and loved her sons very much, which requires enormous amounts of fortitude, but perhaps there were other solutions for her instead of remaining in those abusive relationships.
Papa was certainly a very unlikable character, no redeeming qualities at al. Mr Lamb certainly highlighted some of the sexist racist thinking of the times with that character. I guess he also highlighted how in many ways that thinking still continues today.
I hope you and the family are well and doing all you need to do to stay safe at the moment. It is my hope these vaccines are going to be effective enough to slow down this virus and let you all begin to live normal lives again. As I write this I see the US has passed 400 000 lives lost, it is so tragic for you all.
Thinking of you,
Much love,
Nancy
Hi again!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen that a miniseries has been done for I Know This Much is True featuring Mark Ruffalo? Many of the novels we’ve read over the years have been made into movies and I haven’t watched many of them. But I actually watched the first episode and it was very true to the novel. I intend to watch it all the way through and hope to convince Franklin to watch it with me. I don’t know about you but I really enjoyed this. I was nervous because of how large a tome it was. It’s also the main reason it has been sitting idly on my book shelf since I purchased it. I haven’t read anything this massive since the Harry Potters.
I think that the mystery of Dominick’s paternity was the most surprising resolution. I had the same fear that Domenico may have been father to the twins. As the story progressed and we learned that Domenico felt it was his right to rape Ignazia, it didn’t seem too farfetched a possibility that he would rape Concettina too. I was greatly pleased that this was not the case. I am glad that Connie found at least some happiness during her difficult life. Imagine if Henry hadn’t been killed during the war, Domenico would have been deceased by the time he returned to the states and maybe the two of them could have raised their boys together. Of course that would have led to a way less interesting book. But I suppose most people have been conditioned to hope for that happily ever after scenario.
I do think the little hits dropped by Dominick kept me from putting the book down halfway. Reading along, ok this couple gets divorced no big deal. Then suddenly Dominick makes a comment about “the baby” and the chapter ends. Well now I obviously must read more! I MUST know about this mystery baby! I think that was my attitude almost constantly while reading this book. “Wait what? I must know!”
I did not like Joy in all of this. While I do not think she deserved the ending she got, I felt very little sympathy or affection for her. Her demise was certainly a unique way of giving Dessa and Dominick the child they never got to keep. Also her fate was a grate tribute to the AIDS awareness of the 80’s. There was so much classic Americana in this whole novel. So many references were so classically American throughout the 50s to the 90s. This book is very similar to watching Forrest Gump, like a condensed history lesson.
As for Connie, I believe she was a strong character in regards to her faith in God and her sons. Despite Thomas’s death, I believe Dominick did everything he could for his brother and I believe that Connie knew that he always would too. Connie’s faith in Dominick was almost as strong as her faith in God. But she was very similar to Glory Marie from our last novel. She probably would never have been able to break free from Ray’s harshness. Although I do feel Ray loved her in his own way and to the best of his abilities. He certainly was hindered by that antiquated American mentality of men don’t show affection and maybe some PTSD.
I feel like Ray may have been a character that Sue would have enjoyed based upon his past. She seemed to have a particular fondness for war vets and untreated PTSD. I also feel she would have really connected to the social stigma of mental illnesses that raged in that time period. Are there any parts you think Sue would have liked best?
I look forward to your thoughts and I hope you enjoyed this book as much I did. I have highly recommended it to multiple coworkers.
Much love,
Katie