Discussion: ABC Book Club Letter "L"

I'm back, as promised, to discuss the book we just read, Pictures of You, by Caroline Leavitt.

Did you enjoy the book? What did you like? Didn't like?

I loved how the book grabbed you immediately within two chapters.  I enjoyed all the characters...they felt well-developed and real.  Although at times Sam appeared to not always act his age, in my opinion.  At times he felt too young for nine or ten and other times I thought time had lapsed and he was a teen.  I also really enjoyed the aspect (hope) of angels in the book too.

I loved how these characters all made choices that ultimately created their paths in life...like us all.  I expected Charlie and Isabelle to get together in the end and I must admit, while it would have been totally expected and predictable, I kinda wanted them to end up together.  There were points along the middle that I felt the story dragged on and on and I grew a little bored.  But, I am the type of reader that will seldom give up on a book, even the so-so or bad ones, because I'm curious how the book will end because a killer ending will often change my ENTIRE opinion of the book!  This book, however, didn't have os much of a killer ending, but it did wrap things up well and I was glad that, in the end, Sam made something of himself after what seemed like a somewhat miserable childhood.  And, I was glad that Isabelle moved on and found a better man and a true family.

I chuckled at the parent involvement with the characters...don't we all have parents to blame for SOMETHING? But, Isabelle's mother truly took the hate-cake.  What a bitch.  I did enjoy Charlie's parents as they seemed so real to me.

I had hoped for more closure, however, over April and what she was doing on that road, outside the car.  So she was having an affair...I could see that from her...she seemed like a wild bird that could never really be tamed.  And I did wonder, as well, if she was making her son sick.

I ended up giving the book a solid 3 stars.  It didn't rock my world but it was a nice, light book that held some suspense but didn't keep me riveted on the edge of my seat.  But, you know what? I didn't mind.  The book flowed, was an easy, quick read...I finished it in less than two days...and got me excited about reading again.  Before this book I had started three books but couldn't get past the first chapter...not because the books weren't good...but because I just couldn't focus upon returning to Idaho.  The book had great characters with interesting problems.

Here are some questions for discussion:

1.  What's different about the ways in which April and Isabelle are running away?  What do you think would have happened with April if she had not made the choice to leave? And why do you think she was really outside the car?

2.  Some of the characters in the book engage in magical or wishful thinking.  Sam believes he has seen an angel.  Isabelle is told she has a special gift to foresee the future lives of the children she photographs.  How do you think this magical thinking helps and hinders the characters, and have you ever used such thinking in your own life to get through a painful situation?

3.  Sam's asthma impacts his life, April's, and Charlie's.  At one point, on page 64, April tells Charlie that she heard that "breathing is our contract to remain here on this planet", that people with respiratory problems are "troubled souls."  If this is so, why do you think that Sam's asthma vanishes? What made Sam want to stay on earth and survive?

4.  How did you react to Bill's story about what really happened the day of the accident?  How did you feel about his ultimate decision?  Why do you think he tried to find April after all that time?

5.  The novel asks, can we forgive the unforgivable?  Do you think Charlie ever really forgives April? Do you?

Comments

[corinna]

1. First and foremost... there was a child involved and she was going to leave her kid behind! If she had not left... obviously she would not have been killed. As for her being outside the car... I think it was for exactly what the book said... she was waiting on her son and in the fog... she probably felt like she might be able to hear him since she could not see him. If there was a different angle I didn't get that... but would love to hear it.

2. I think everyone has the capacity to be an angel or thought of as an angel. I think with a child the idea between what is real and what they think is real can so easily be blurred. Yes, I have had thoughts about and feelings for certain people during rough times that I would most certainly see them as angels.

3. Well, having a son with asthma... when I first read that I rejected the idea immediately. I used to blame myself for his asthma when he was young... I thought that if I had done things different when I was carrying him... maybe he wouldn't have gotten asthma. Dave's first son had asthma too when he was a young kid... he out grew it. Asthma is and inflamation of the broncial (sp?) tubes. It is brought on by many different things. If a person has "allergy related" asthma... over time some will simply become un allergic. I also have asthma... it is this very kind... allergy related... seasonally related. I think that April was probably making his asthma worse by her reaction... emotions play a huge roll. No one knows really why some out grow it. I still hope my son out grows it.

4.I was irritated at this part of the book I wish there would have been more information or hints earlier in the book about their affair... I think it would have made for better charactor development. He seemed to not fit. It didn't surprise me that he changed his mind. He is a man... and well, this lady he was married too was a good woman... and I think he knew that... he just like April for her kitty kat. He wanted to find April again... probably because he was hoping to get a piece... again.

5. I don't think Charlie would ever forgive April... mainly because it is hard to let go of something you dont' understand and in this case... there was more at stake then just her leaving. As for me forgiving her... umm... yeah... I really don't care. lol. It is good to have a bitch charactor to hate. Better a fictional charactor then a real life person.

Ah... there is the rainbow.