1. As Mercy walks through the August downpour to the Miners’ Credit Union she wonders whether she looks crazy, and decides “Sometimes crazy is just the best choice.” How is this statement true as her journey continues? In your life, has “crazy” ever been the best choice? 

2. Was Mamma Rutha a good mother figure for Mercy? 

3. What did Trout mean when he said to Mercy “Maybe what you think is all messed up, is the reason why I saw glory all over you”? Compare this to Mercy’s earlier comment about wild morning glories being “Weeds that don’t know they’re beautiful…” 

4. Were you surprised to learn that Father Heron was once a beloved “daddy” to Mary? Why do you think he locked the door? 

5. Mercy spends her childhood being punished for not living up to the “holy” standards set by Father Heron. Yet Mercy arrives at church with her “heart full of hope,” and continues to ponder God’s design and call throughout her journey. Why is Mercy able to separate her fear and hatred for Father Heron from her feelings and questions about God? 

6. Why was twelve year old Mercy so desperate for Mamma Rutha’s blessings that she was willing to give up food for two days in order to earn them back? Which hunger do you think was worse, the one for blessings or the one for food? 

7. If she hadn’t gone into labor, do you think Mercy would have murdered Father Heron? If so, would that have changed your feelings towards her? 

8. How do some of the characters’ names further explain the characters? (Mercy, Trout, Mary) Why does Mercy call her grandmother “Mamma Rutha” and call her grandfather “Father Heron?” 

9. Father Heron says Mamma Rutha killed Mary, and Mamma Rutha says Father Heron killed her. How do you think Mary died? 

10. Why did Father Heron lay Glory down under the apple tree? Did it make you feel more sympathetic towards him? 

11. Della says “Love don’t run,” while Mercy believes that love comes in many different forms. What circumstances in their lives cause them to define love the way they do? Whose definition do you agree with the most? 

12. Mercy describes Crooktop ominously (“I knew that Crooktop had its fist around me.”) How is Trout’s perspective of the mountain different? Why is it different? Do you think Mercy’s relationship with Trout changed her perspective of Crooktop? 

13. Did you agree with Mercy’s decision to “be Rusty’s girl?” 

14. Mercy often felt alone and that she didn’t belong, despite the crowds around her. Della talked about feeling similarly, yet she “glowed” among the crowds and behaved very differently than Mercy. Why? Who suffered more from their lack of belonging? Have you ever felt alone, despite the crowds around you? Do you hide like Mercy, or work to “glow” like Della? 

15. Why do you think the author didn’t resolve Trout’s story? What do you think the future holds for Trout? For Mercy?