The Reading Guide for Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
May 2008 Book Selection: The Pirate’s Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Discussion Questions:
1. Is this the story of a pirate’s daughter? Why or why not? Is there more thanone pirate in the novel?
2. How does Cezair-Thompson use the concept of pirates to tell the largerpolitical story of Jamaica’s path to independence? What does this book sayabout Colonialism?
3. Is this a novel about race? Is it a novel about class?
4. Passions run deep in this novel, both love and hate. Do you consider this alove story? Is it a love story between couples, or a love song for Jamaica, orboth? What various kinds of love fuel the plot? What kinds of hatred drive the narrative?
5. Strong mothers abound in this book, even the mothers we read about only inpassing who leave Jamaica for New York to earn a living for their children. Do you think Ida is a good mother? Do you think that is a fair question, given thechallenges she faced? How important are fathers, and father figures?
6. Maps play a significant role in this novel. The greatest mysteries, though, arefinding ways to understand hearts and histories. What guides May in her journeytoward self-discovery? How does Nigel find peace?
7. How does the story of Errol Flynn and Hollywood add to the novel?
8. How do the interplay of fact and fiction enliven the story?
9. Place is critical in this novel. How does Cezair-Thompson use differentsettings to advance her tale?
10. What notions of beauty shape this story?
11. Much of the novel is about seduction, but not always the literal kind. Whatseduces different characters, and why?
12. Movies are important to the story, but in the end May is most influenced bywords and books. Why does she seem more interested in one form of mediaover the other?
13. How important to the novel is the theme of forgiveness?
14. Is Jamaica a character in this novel?
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Book Club
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club: Attention: Who wants to go on the ULTIMATE LITERARY ADVENTURE?
The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club: Attention: Who wants to go on the ULTIMATE LITERARY ADVENTURE?
Now wouldn't this be grand if we could go on this adventure? Perhaps some of you will be able to go and write home about your travels.
I imagine traveling with Kathy and other book club members to Wales and then cruising home on the Queen Mary 2 would be fantabulous!
Now wouldn't this be grand if we could go on this adventure? Perhaps some of you will be able to go and write home about your travels.
I imagine traveling with Kathy and other book club members to Wales and then cruising home on the Queen Mary 2 would be fantabulous!
We meet Wed April 30
Hope you are ready for some lively discussions, good food and lots of fun at our meeting on Wed at 6:30 pm at Queen Kay's Home.
Food Committee is Gwen Williams, Barbara Granger, Sue Brown and Phyllis Hughes. Know they will have something yummy for our tummy!
Our shirts are in and I have gotten them to a few of you that I have seen through the month. Please wear them with your tiara's!
Perhaps your Royal Picture may be taken! (Hint Hint)
Food Committee is Gwen Williams, Barbara Granger, Sue Brown and Phyllis Hughes. Know they will have something yummy for our tummy!
Our shirts are in and I have gotten them to a few of you that I have seen through the month. Please wear them with your tiara's!
Perhaps your Royal Picture may be taken! (Hint Hint)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Reading Guide Part 4
Part 4:
14. I believe that reading should be experienced by all the senses. I like to physically touch a book when I read it rather than read a book online. That is why we bring food that relates to our book pick to our Pulpwood Queens meetings, or have the author come visit our book club to have them read aloud from excerpts of the book or give a talk about the book. Nothing brings me more pleasure than reading a book I love, and then go see the movie, musical, or play based on that book. I think that when you envelop all five senses into the reading experience, the book becomes much more pleasurable. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
15. Some people believe that reading and book clubs are just a trend in society. People have also said this about leopard print, but judging from how much I am still seeing leopard print out there for the past 30 or 40 years, I rest my case. Do you believe that book clubs are just a trend like drinking hot Dr. Pepper with lemon like I did back in the 1970's, or do you think reading and books are here to stay?
16. I truly believe that books saved me. I came from a family that was different. Only now, after writing this book, am I beginning to question if any family is really like what you see on "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best." What I do know is this: Reading helped me escape into another world. If I was scared, I could read a book. If I got too scared reading the book, I could close the book. I was in control of my environment instead of the other way around. What has reading done for you? Now that you have answered that question, here is an even better one: What can you do to help promote reading?
14. I believe that reading should be experienced by all the senses. I like to physically touch a book when I read it rather than read a book online. That is why we bring food that relates to our book pick to our Pulpwood Queens meetings, or have the author come visit our book club to have them read aloud from excerpts of the book or give a talk about the book. Nothing brings me more pleasure than reading a book I love, and then go see the movie, musical, or play based on that book. I think that when you envelop all five senses into the reading experience, the book becomes much more pleasurable. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
15. Some people believe that reading and book clubs are just a trend in society. People have also said this about leopard print, but judging from how much I am still seeing leopard print out there for the past 30 or 40 years, I rest my case. Do you believe that book clubs are just a trend like drinking hot Dr. Pepper with lemon like I did back in the 1970's, or do you think reading and books are here to stay?
16. I truly believe that books saved me. I came from a family that was different. Only now, after writing this book, am I beginning to question if any family is really like what you see on "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best." What I do know is this: Reading helped me escape into another world. If I was scared, I could read a book. If I got too scared reading the book, I could close the book. I was in control of my environment instead of the other way around. What has reading done for you? Now that you have answered that question, here is an even better one: What can you do to help promote reading?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Reading Guide Part 3
Part 3:
8. Pulpwood Queen Joyce Jackson Futch changed my outlook on life. Have you ever met a friend that transformed you as a person? What does friendship mean to you and how are you a friend to others? Joyce also changed my outlook on death. What did you learn from reading about Joyce's story?
9. Growing up, I adored the Miss America pageant, but as a child of the 70's and being forced into a pageant, I found them demeaning. What do you think about beauty pageants and do you think they have a future in our society today?
10. Author Doug Marlette believed that in life, our hope is that we will reach a point where we no longer seek fame and fortune, bright lights, big city, but that we become satisfied with a job well done. I too believe in such a dream. What do you think society can do as a whole to affirm that service above self is much more important than the almighty buck and keeping up with the Joneses?
11. Teachers, librarians, and others who have mentored me have been a blessing in my life. What can we do to help recognize those individuals who believe that a child has worth and should be educated with the highest respect regardless of race, color, religion, and economic background and where they live? Also what can we do as readers to help instill that reading is taught to be the highest form of entertainment and where imaginations are to be cultivated?
12. I have always felt and now know that creating beauty and reading are to be my calling in life --- my life's mission. I love to make people feel better about their self and I love to encourage reading. There is no higher honor than to serve others. What does that statement mean to you? And why as a society don't we praise others who make our lives easier?
13. Name a book that changed your views on seeing the world.
8. Pulpwood Queen Joyce Jackson Futch changed my outlook on life. Have you ever met a friend that transformed you as a person? What does friendship mean to you and how are you a friend to others? Joyce also changed my outlook on death. What did you learn from reading about Joyce's story?
9. Growing up, I adored the Miss America pageant, but as a child of the 70's and being forced into a pageant, I found them demeaning. What do you think about beauty pageants and do you think they have a future in our society today?
10. Author Doug Marlette believed that in life, our hope is that we will reach a point where we no longer seek fame and fortune, bright lights, big city, but that we become satisfied with a job well done. I too believe in such a dream. What do you think society can do as a whole to affirm that service above self is much more important than the almighty buck and keeping up with the Joneses?
11. Teachers, librarians, and others who have mentored me have been a blessing in my life. What can we do to help recognize those individuals who believe that a child has worth and should be educated with the highest respect regardless of race, color, religion, and economic background and where they live? Also what can we do as readers to help instill that reading is taught to be the highest form of entertainment and where imaginations are to be cultivated?
12. I have always felt and now know that creating beauty and reading are to be my calling in life --- my life's mission. I love to make people feel better about their self and I love to encourage reading. There is no higher honor than to serve others. What does that statement mean to you? And why as a society don't we praise others who make our lives easier?
13. Name a book that changed your views on seeing the world.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Reading Guide Part 2
Part 2:
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my favorite book of all time. What is your favorite book, and why? If you could make a list of your favorite books, what would they be?
5. If you could do anything in this world without fear of ridicule or amount of money you earned, what would you choose as an occupation, and why?
6. Obviously, since you are reading these discussion questions, you are either in a book club or love to discuss books. Why do you think women in particular have embraced the book club culture?
7. If you are in a book club, do you think that any of your fellow members would have been someone you would have naturally selected as a friend? What have you learned from these other members that you would have not learned otherwise?
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is my favorite book of all time. What is your favorite book, and why? If you could make a list of your favorite books, what would they be?
5. If you could do anything in this world without fear of ridicule or amount of money you earned, what would you choose as an occupation, and why?
6. Obviously, since you are reading these discussion questions, you are either in a book club or love to discuss books. Why do you think women in particular have embraced the book club culture?
7. If you are in a book club, do you think that any of your fellow members would have been someone you would have naturally selected as a friend? What have you learned from these other members that you would have not learned otherwise?
Reading Guide for April Meeting Part 1
Most Honored Queens,
I thought I'd post the reading guide for our book selection for April in installments. For those of you who will not be able to make our meeting and would like to contribute, please post comments. We'll share them at our meeting.
I'm posting them over the next few days because 16 questions at one time is little overwhelming. At least for me it is.
Part 1:
1. I never dreamed in a kazillion years that I would ever be fired from a job. As I write in my book, when I was fired I handled the whole situation poorly. What would you do if this happened to you? And would you do anything differently now that you have finished reading my book?
2. I have often been judged by the way I look and my profession. People tend to put people in neat, little compartmentalized boxes. What if there was no box? What is your criterion for judging others? Do you judge a book by its cover?
3. I will always be a small town Kansas girl and I have grown to be proud of that fact. Even though I live in Texas and now call it home, really Eureka, Kansas will truly always be home to me no matter how many times I sing "Yellow Rose of Texas" or give the Texas "Hook'em Horns" sign. What does home mean to you and how do you believe it shapes you?
I thought I'd post the reading guide for our book selection for April in installments. For those of you who will not be able to make our meeting and would like to contribute, please post comments. We'll share them at our meeting.
I'm posting them over the next few days because 16 questions at one time is little overwhelming. At least for me it is.
Part 1:
1. I never dreamed in a kazillion years that I would ever be fired from a job. As I write in my book, when I was fired I handled the whole situation poorly. What would you do if this happened to you? And would you do anything differently now that you have finished reading my book?
2. I have often been judged by the way I look and my profession. People tend to put people in neat, little compartmentalized boxes. What if there was no box? What is your criterion for judging others? Do you judge a book by its cover?
3. I will always be a small town Kansas girl and I have grown to be proud of that fact. Even though I live in Texas and now call it home, really Eureka, Kansas will truly always be home to me no matter how many times I sing "Yellow Rose of Texas" or give the Texas "Hook'em Horns" sign. What does home mean to you and how do you believe it shapes you?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
New Blog Site
My Honored Queens,
I'm not sure how this will work since I've never blogged before. Thought this might be a way for us to keep in touch between meetings, post pictures and even your own writings. Also this might be a place to post reading guides for our book selections.
Let me know what you think by posting comments.
Our next meeting will be on April 30. I've already heard from some of you that you are enjoying reading Pulpwood Queens by Kathy Patrick and are looking forward to our discussions.
Happy Reading
Queen Kay
I'm not sure how this will work since I've never blogged before. Thought this might be a way for us to keep in touch between meetings, post pictures and even your own writings. Also this might be a place to post reading guides for our book selections.
Let me know what you think by posting comments.
Our next meeting will be on April 30. I've already heard from some of you that you are enjoying reading Pulpwood Queens by Kathy Patrick and are looking forward to our discussions.
Happy Reading
Queen Kay
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