Reading Group Guide
Discussion Questions
Even Now
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1. Hannah's sister Ceel maintains that, "Every woman has a Daintry in their lives." What does she mean?? Do you think this statement is true?
2. For the author, Daintry O'Connor represents all the female friendships that have somehow dissolved, harmlessly or deliberately, throughout her life.? Do you have relationships that seem to have no basis for ending?? Why do female friendships fail?? Jealousy?? Lifestyle choices?? Competition?? Too much dependency?
3. Hannah's marriage is essentially happy and stable.? Yet she ponders an extramarital affair, and the reasons for it.? What about this temptation? Does adultery, after all, stem from sheer availibility, the urge for a new experience, feeling attractive in another man's eyes, harmless flirtation that veers into dangerous territory, vindication or revenge for past history?
4. Do you think Ceel realizes Hannah's straying?? Does Hal?
5. What part does spirituality play in Even Now?? Are churches indeed, as Daintry says, "sexy places"? Do you know of similar situations with priests and parishioners? Can Daintry be sympathized with?
6. For those who have read How Close We Come, what are the similarities in Pril and Hannah?? Are there similarities in the characters of Daintry and Ruth? Do you agree with Hannah's assertion to Ellen that "girls are awful to each other"?
7. Can Hannah's mother's actions be justified? Should Hannah have confessed to Hal -- or will she -- of her near-adultery? Why is Hannah scornful of Doesy and the type of woman her character represents? Is her disdain justified?
8. Susan Kelly likes to say that she writes about "necessary sadness."? In fact, "a current of sadness" is a phrase she finds a place for in everything she writes. Did you notice it?? What does she mean? Extra Credit: Do you wish Hannah and Peter had managed their fling? (In one version, they did, for months!)
Even Now
- Publication Date: July 30, 2001
- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Warner Books
- ISBN-10: 0446527629
- ISBN-13: 9780446527620