Quote Originally Posted by finn's mom
Here are three questions to open up the discussion for October's book... keep in mind, I'm new to this, if anyone has any suggestions or wants to briefly take the reins from me to steer us in a better direction, please feel free. There are questions at the back of the book, and, I'm posting the first three today...
1. Nicky notes near the beginning of Light on Snow that her father actively avoids civilization, yet when they find Baby Doris he quickly breaks out of his self-imposed exile to help save the abandoned infant. Why do you think he chooses to become so involved in this situation?

Becaus the child's life is at stake, and he is a decent human being, he saves the baby. He probably would have done so even if he hadn't lost his wife and baby daughter, but in any case, human instinct kicks in.

Then when the baby's mother shows up, he feels forced into involvement again. I think Nicky being there was at least half the reason he didn't immediately turn Charlotte in, he knows he has to consider the impact every decision he'll make has on his surviving child.

2. Discuss the relationship between Nicky and her father as the novel opens. In what ways is their relationship unique? In what ways does it reflect or subvert the traditional roles of parent and child?

As the novel opens. they are co-existing in the same house, but that's about it. Sadly, this is not a unique situation - many children of divorce - not just kids who've lost a parent to death - end up in a similar-feeling situation. I do think she is more self-sufficient than many kids her age because of it, but chafes at the responsibility sometimes.




3. The December days through which Light on Snow unfolds represent a rite of passage for Nicky in many ways. How is she ultimately influenced by what she experiences in these weeks? What does Nicky draw from her relationships with the various adults around her? Do you think they learn something from her as well?

Her life changes dramatically in many ways - the events re-establish a relationship with her father, and forces them to talk. She also learns a lot more about the woman's side of relationships through Charlotte, lessons she may or may not need in life, but Charlotte is her first chance to ask questions of an adult female since her mother died.

I liked the book in that it moved very quickly for me - sucked me right in, and I wanted to keep reading.

Some of the writing style bothered me, I dislike how every once in a while she's an adult reflecting back, but doesn't reveal much about her current life or circumstances, which bothered me a bit. And it also made it hard to tell, toward the end, whether the things she was projecting about her future relationship - if any - with Charlotte were just wishful thinking, or things that actually happened in the intervening years.