Bittersweet Creek (30 page)
Authors: Sally Kilpatrick
A READING GROUP GUIDE
BITTERSWEET CREEK
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Sally Kilpatrick
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ABOUT THIS GUIDE
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The following discussion questions are
included to enhance your group's reading of
Bittersweet Creek.
included to enhance your group's reading of
Bittersweet Creek.
Discussion Questions
1.
Bittersweet Creek
began as a sort of homage to
Romeo and Juliet,
with a dash of the Hatfields and the McCoys. How many references to Shakespeare did you run across? (Hint: Some are from other plays.)
Bittersweet Creek
began as a sort of homage to
Romeo and Juliet,
with a dash of the Hatfields and the McCoys. How many references to Shakespeare did you run across? (Hint: Some are from other plays.)
2.
The Satterfields and the McElroys are opposites in a lot of small ways (dogs versus cats, for example). How many little differences can you remember between the two families? Do those differences really mean a lot in the scheme of things?
The Satterfields and the McElroys are opposites in a lot of small ways (dogs versus cats, for example). How many little differences can you remember between the two families? Do those differences really mean a lot in the scheme of things?
3.
Another theme of
Bittersweet Creek
is the idea that tradition is being passed over in favor of modernization. Richard sees no problem with selling the Satterfield farm. Romy has an unnatural attachment to her Keurig coffeemaker. Do you think the rural way of life is disappearing? Do you see it as a good or a bad thing?
Another theme of
Bittersweet Creek
is the idea that tradition is being passed over in favor of modernization. Richard sees no problem with selling the Satterfield farm. Romy has an unnatural attachment to her Keurig coffeemaker. Do you think the rural way of life is disappearing? Do you see it as a good or a bad thing?
4.
Julian has watched a lot of movies in order to pass the time. How many allusions did you catch?
Julian has watched a lot of movies in order to pass the time. How many allusions did you catch?
5.
Why do you think Romy fell in love with Richard? In what ways do Richard and Julian represent city versus country life? Do you think she made the right choice?
Why do you think Romy fell in love with Richard? In what ways do Richard and Julian represent city versus country life? Do you think she made the right choice?
6.
In what ways is this a story of Romy finally overcoming the grief of losing her mother?
In what ways is this a story of Romy finally overcoming the grief of losing her mother?
7.
How would you describe Romy's relationship with her father? How was her relationship with her parents different from that of Julian and his parents?
How would you describe Romy's relationship with her father? How was her relationship with her parents different from that of Julian and his parents?
8.
Julian worries about his “McElroy blood,” and
Bittersweet Creek
explores the idea of nature versus nurture. Which do you think plays the greater role in who we are and why?
Julian worries about his “McElroy blood,” and
Bittersweet Creek
explores the idea of nature versus nurture. Which do you think plays the greater role in who we are and why?
9.
Why do you think Debbie stuck with Curtis as long as she did? Should she have?
Why do you think Debbie stuck with Curtis as long as she did? Should she have?
10.
A lot of this book centers around animals. What does a person's treatment of animals say about him or her as a person? How do the attitudes of the characters who grew up with animals differ from those of characters who did not grow up around animals?
A lot of this book centers around animals. What does a person's treatment of animals say about him or her as a person? How do the attitudes of the characters who grew up with animals differ from those of characters who did not grow up around animals?
11.
Which was your favorite flashback of when Romy and Julian were teenagers in love? Why?
Which was your favorite flashback of when Romy and Julian were teenagers in love? Why?
12.
Does
Bittersweet Creek
make you nostalgic for the country or does it make you want to run screaming for the city? Why?
Does
Bittersweet Creek
make you nostalgic for the country or does it make you want to run screaming for the city? Why?
13.
Who's your favorite character? Least favorite?
Who's your favorite character? Least favorite?
14.
“Islands in the Stream”: Great duet, or . . . the
greatest
duet?
“Islands in the Stream”: Great duet, or . . . the
greatest
duet?
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
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Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
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Copyright © 2015 by Sally Kilpatrick
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-1-6177-3570-7
First Kensington Electronic Edition: November 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1-61773-570-7
ISBN-10: 1-61773-570-1
First Kensington Trade Paperback Printing: November 2015
ISBN-10: 1-61773-570-1
First Kensington Trade Paperback Printing: November 2015
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Notes
1
The 1900 census as well as Yessum County property records show that Magilroy became MacElroy about that time. By the next census they'd dropped the “a” and adopted the current spelling.
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