1. How does Boyle introduce historical facts into the novel to move it along? Which of the period's prevalent issues does he bring to light? What, if anything, did you learn about America in the early part of this century? Do you think fiction is a good way to teach history?

2. Discuss your feelings toward Stanley McCormick. Does his particular type of insanity -- with its manifestations of lewd behavior and violence toward women -- make him less sympathetic? Do you feel sorry for Stanley? Do you think he is unhappy?

3. Compare the characters of Stanley and Eddie. Is Stanley's treatment of women different and/or worse than Eddie's? When Eddie is in the throes of alcoholism, is he any more sane than Stanley? Do you think Eddie is good for Stanley? Vice versa?

4. How real is Katherine's love for Stanley? Why is she so insistent on preserving their marriage? Why do you think she fell in love with Stanley in the first place? How do you reconcile her feminist views with her steadfast loyalty to a man with so many problems?

5. Issues of fidelity and loyalty figure prominently in the book. How are each of the major characters -- Katherine, Stanley, and Eddie -- alternately faithful and unfaithful, loyal and disloyal to others in their lives? Who is the most faithful? Who is the most loyal?

6. What do you think of the different doctors hired to treat Stanley? Aside from the comic relief they provide, what schools of thought does each represent?

7. Discuss Boyle's use of flashbacks in the novel. Do these passages detract from the story or promote its progress? How would the novel have been different if it were presented chronologically?

8. Like many of Boyle's novels, Riven Rock is filled with examples of opposite extremes -- Puritanism and overt sexuality, refined and extremely base behavior, honesty and dishonesty, poverty and wealth -- and with incidents that can strain credulity. What do you think of Boyle's use of hyperbole?

9. How does knowing that Boyle's book is based on history alter the way you read the novel? Did you wonder which incidents were based on fact and which on fiction? Would you prefer to know or are you satisfied not knowing?

10. Riven Rock is the actual name of the McCormick estate in California, yet Boyle manages to wrap the narrative around the image its name conjures up. How does he incorporate into the novel the metaphor of a rock split in two? What -- or who -- are the novel's "riven rocks"?