Desert Fish (23 page)

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Authors: Cherise Saywell

BOOK: Desert Fish
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Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Creative Scotland for the bursary that helped me write this novel. Thanks to Emma Rusher for making it happen, and to Meredith Curnow and Chris Kunz for their insight and guidance. Thanks to Robert Edric who was very generous with his time. Thank you to Ruth Thomas, Elizabeth Ezra, Rose France, Tasca Shadix, Rachel Davison, Sonja Henrici, Margaret Ries, Susie Wilson and Jan Waterfield for tactful feedback and kind support. Also, Lesley Glaister and Jill Dawson. And thanks especially to Russell Leven, and to Jude and Brodie, for being so patient.

Reading Group Questions
  1. What is the relationship between landscape and narrative in
    Desert Fish
    ?
  2. Discuss the relationship between Gilly and her parents in the novel. Does Gilly understand the relationship between her parents? Do you think they fail Gilly? Do you think Maureen has to make a choice between Gilly and Creighton?
  3. What is the significance of the title?
  4. Is Gilly a reliable narrator? Are there any honest characters in
    Desert Fish
    ? There is a broad discussion going on at the moment as to whether readers and viewers need to ‘like' characters to enjoy or empathise with a piece of fiction. Where do you sit in this discussion?
  5. Gilly is fixated on the physical expression of her feelings for Pete? Why do you think this is so important to her? Does Gilly know what love is or do you think any means of escape would have satisfied her?
  6. What do you think Gilly means when she says she wants to disappear?
  7. Do you think Gilly and Pete could ever have a relationship?
  8. By the end of the novel, do you think Gilly is capable of motherhood?

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