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Treasuring Grace Book Club: Discussion Questions Ch, 25-26 The Final Chapters

We have come to the final chapters of Treasuring Grace. We hope you have enjoyed the journey and have come to love this family and their struggles as much as we do. We would love to hear your thoughts on the book and this virtual book club. For now, here are the last discussion questions and author insights. Thanks for being part of this process.

In Chapter 25, how do you think the confession went for Liz ?

First, I think it’s important to know that the confession scene is an accurate depiction of what a woman in Liz ’s position could experience.  The scene is consistent with Church teaching.  The theme would be forgiveness, not punishment or harsh judgment.  “Giddy”, I think, would be the word to describe the feeling she would have after having that enormous burden suddenly removed.

 

Chapter 26 is the end of the story.  How do you think the Swansons will do?

Jake’s world got rocked a little bit, but he’s stronger and wiser for it.  Alyssa is still cheerful and mischievous, but also a little wiser.  Grocery shopping has been the benchmark in Liz and Scott’s relationship, and they’re back to doing it together.  The void in their marriage has been removed, and they’re communicating and sharing ideas.   Liz is coming to terms with the abortion and finding peace by writing to Grace in her journals.  They’ll do well. 

Treasuring Grace: Book Club Discussion Questions Ch. 23 and 24

Hi friends, we are coming close to the end of our Treasuring Grace bookclub and we hope you have enjoyed it. When we are done we'd love to hear what you have thought of the experience. 

Here are this weeks book club questions for chapters 23 and 24.

Jennifer is featured prominently in Chapters 23 and 24.  What do you think about her response to Liz ’s despair?

We don’t really know a lot about Jennifer, but we can imagine and extrapolate from what we do know.  Despite the porta-potties when we first met her, image was very important to her.  The parade was also very important to her, so she didn’t leave it lightly.  This was almost heroic, and her subsequent rescue of Liz was crucial – you can imagine the Swansons sitting there for a long time without her help.  Sharing her own story was generous and pivotal in helping Liz .  Acknowledging the wrong and asking for forgiveness was a necessary approach.  Liz wouldn’t have responded to anything else, especially not an attempt to minimize it.

 

Do you think the relationship between Jennifer and Scott will change?  

I think Jennifer and Scott will think a little differently of each other, but they enjoy antagonizing each other too much to let it go.

 

Has Jennifer gotten over her own abortion?  

Probably not.  By her own admission, her personality changed.  She became an “Ice Queen”.  There was a stronger term before editing.  That’s why Scott’s kind words got to her.  It was almost easier for her to believe that she was just a hard, cold person than that she was a good person who made a mistake.

Read Chapters 25 and 26

Treasuring Grace Book Club Discussion Questions Ch 20 -22

We are nearing the end of our Treasuring Grace Book Club adventure and we hope you have been having fun and enjoying the author insights and discussion questions.  Here are the questions to delve into for chapters 20-22.

Consider the path of Liz ’s emotional state through Chapters 20, 21, and 22.  How do you think it relates to her belief in Grace?

In Chapter 20, the Swansons enjoy an idyllic evening on the lake.  Jake and Scott enjoy a heated game of catch, jabbing at each other.  Alyssa is annoyed by it, by Liz is wiser and tolerant even though their bantering and competing must get tiresome.  Just like their day on the lake, Liz is the glue that holds it together.  She makes the dinner.  She gathers the ingredients for the s’mores.  She keeps the peace.  She’s happy and content, and she believes that Grace is safe, snug, and fast asleep in her bed.

A transition occurs in Chapter 21.  Liz gets a warning from her grandfather but attempts to ignore it.  Liz is anxious to get to the parade, and puts on quite a show with her singing and stomping around to be sure that everyone is awake.  She’s still in good spirits, but it may almost seem forced with her joke about clowns and then snapping at Alyssa.  Grace is gone by the end of the chapter, but Liz doesn’t understand yet.

Liz fully understands the truth about Grace in Chapter 22, and she falls into complete despair.

 

In Chapter 22, the Swansons finally understand what Liz has gone through.  What do you think of their reactions?

Well, the reactions of Scott and Alyssa may be a little idealized.  A husband immediately acknowledging the significance and accepting blame for something that happened 8 years prior might not be typical.  But he loves her, largely understands her, and saw her weekend’s joy turn to heartbreak overnight.  

Alyssa had spent hours analyzing her mother’s tormented journal entries.  She would have to be pretty cold hearted not to immediately express sympathy and assurance.  

Jake was the holdout.  This was his first stumble, but we felt it was important to the story to acknowledge that the path to self-forgiveness might not be entirely smooth.

  

Read Ch. 23 and 24

Treasuring Grace Book Club Discussion Questions: Ch. 17 -19

Hey book club members! We hope you are enjoying your summer with Treasuring Grace. 

In Chapters 17 through 19, do you notice anything different happening with Grace?

 

In Chapter 18, Liz ’s grandfather says “And you can’t reach her from here.”  What are two possible explanations for that?

SPOILER ALERT:

 In Chapters 17 through 19, do you notice anything different happening with Grace?

 Prior to this, Liz ’s belief in Grace has been mostly unobtrusive, with a lot of whispered conversations.  There have been instances where Liz ’s word choice might have confused others, but it was always easy to find an explanation that didn’t include Grace – which would have been the perception of a character grounded in reality.  However, there are events in these chapters where Liz ’s behavior would seem increasingly odd to someone who was observing her or listening closely: laughing, jumping in the lake, playing games by herself, etc.  She’s getting closer to a breakdown.

In Chapter 18, Liz ’s grandfather says “And you can’t reach her from here.”  What are two possible explanations for that?

Liz is supposed to understand that Grace is dead and with her grandfather in heaven.  That’s why she can’t reach her.  However, the interpretation that Liz chooses and the one more obvious to a reader would be that Liz needs to get her butt moving so that she can reach Grace in the water.

Read Chapters 20- 22

Treasuring Grace Book Club Questions for Ch. 15 and 16

Hi Friends, 

We hope you are continuing to enjoy your summer read of Treasuring Grace. If you havent started, its not to late! Pick up a copy and catch up. The discussion questions for previous chapters can all be found on the Treasuring Grace Book Club tab at the top of the blog. 

Here are the discussion questions for Chapters 15 and 16.

We see some more of Jennifer again in Chapter 15.  Describe her and her relationship with Scott.

 

Jennifer calls herself the “Ice Queen”.  She’s demanding and focused on tasks.  She’s sensitive and already feeling the loss of her graduating daughter, but she tries to hide her feelings.  We know from further reading that she evolved into this person after her own abortion.  The graduation of her daughter is particularly poignant knowing that the aborted child could have helped fill the void.

 

Jennifer and Scott enjoy being enemies.  They enjoy trying to irritate each other.  Instead of simply not getting along with each other, they’ve found a way to make their occasional forced contact enjoyable.

SPOILER ALERT QUESTION:
 

Chapter 16 is the Swanson’s day on the lake.  Why is it so enjoyable for them?

 

Liz believes Grace is alive and with them.  Not only does this erase the burden of the abortion, but Liz immensely enjoys her imaginary Grace.   Liz laughs more and does more things.  Everybody enjoys the day more as a result.  Even Scott is willing to go to the party afterwards.

  

Read Chapters 17,18, 19

Treasuring Grace Book Club Questions Chapters 12 -14

Hey Book Clubbers!  We hope your summer is going great and that you are enjoying your summer read thus far. Here are your discussion questions for Chapters 12 through 14.

In Chapter 12, what does Alyssa think that a “picture with Grace” means?

Well, it certainly doesn’t mean a picture with her little sister who doesn’t exist.  She doesn’t really know, so she assumes that she’s supposed to look graceful or not fall off the swing or something.  Of course, given Alyssa’s habit of practical jokes, it probably wouldn’t strike her as too odd to be admonished to behave before the picture was even taken.

 

Scott doesn’t think he’s a good father.  Have you noticed any examples of this?  Do you agree with him?


SPOILER ALERT:

Questions with authors insights

In Chapter 12, what does Alyssa think that a “picture with Grace” means?

Well, it certainly doesn’t mean a picture with her little sister who doesn’t exist.  She doesn’t really know, so she assumes that she’s supposed to look graceful or not fall off the swing or something.  Of course, given Alyssa’s habit of practical jokes, it probably wouldn’t strike her as too odd to be admonished to behave before the picture was even taken.

 Scott doesn’t think he’s a good father.  Have you noticed any examples of this?  Do you agree with him?

Very early on he credits Liz with their success in raising the kids.  He mentions that if he travelled more they might benefit enough from his absence to earn scholarships.  He contrasts Jake’s Eagle Scout rank with his own failed attempt at Cub Scouts.  His father’s abandonment weighs on him, and he worries that it might be genetic.  His driving fantasy about an early Swanson explorer is telling.  He insists that Liz could do nothing unforgivable, but he could.

 

When reading a new book, especially one with any first person narration, the interesting thing for me is deciding who I can trust.  Is what they say or think supported by their actions or the actions of others?  Clearly Scott can’t be trusted when talking about himself.  He’s a good Dad.  He calls from the road.  He sacrifices for them.  He’s present with them in talking, joking, and playing.  He speaks highly of their mother to them which is a great example of love and gives them stability. It was also important to the story that Scott be a good father.  He couldn't be demonized, allowing readers to conclude that he drove Liz to the abortion.  No, they were a relatively happy couple who were good to each other but failed to address the issue with good communication and focus.  Through a mutual combination of avoidance and willful ignorance, Liz got the abortion, not fully realizing the implications or long term effects.

Start Reading Chapters 15 and 16

Treasuring Grace Book Club: Discussion Questions for Ch. 10 and 11

Hello again book club members! We hope you are ever -more engrossed in Treasuring Grace and enjoying your summer read. Below are the discussion questions for Chapters 10 and 11, with the authors insights in the Spoiler Alerts below.  

In Chapter 10, how is Liz ’s subconscious trying to shake her from her delusion?

 

In her dream, her grandfather is telling her to go back to reality and that Grace is gone. She’s also hurting herself by squeezing the pin which should be drawing her attention to the pin and what it represents.

 

 

In Chapter 11, after Jake jumps back in the car, Alyssa says that he should become a doctor.  Can you think of a reason why he is objecting to this?

SPOILER ALERT

In Chapter 11, after Jake jumps back in the car, Alyssa says that he should become a doctor.  Can you think of a reason why he is objecting to this?

He says that there are things a doctor has to do that he couldn’t do.  He’s referring to abortions.

 

There are other very subtle references to abortion that could easily be missed.  Did you notice any in the book so far?

Well, these are subtle, and I would strenuously object if I was reading the book and being graded on it.  However, earlier in Chapter 11, Alyssa concludes that Jake is adopted and Scott agrees.   Liz asks, “Scott how could you deny your own son?”  Before that, at the end of Chapter 6, Scott decides to direct Alyssa’s jokes toward Jake with the narrator concluding: “Paternal instincts sometimes lost to the drive for self-preservation, even when it was just to avoid a little difficulty.”  That is unfair on a number of levels.  It is very subtle to recognize, but it’s also, in many cases, an unfair characterization of a father’s reason to pursue an abortion.  However, at times in addition to the ignorance that it’s a life and the enormity of that implication, there can be an element of selfishness. 

Read Chapters 12 -14

Treasuring Grace Book Clubbers! Discussion Questions for Ch. 8 and 9

Hi Treasuring Grace Book Club Readers!

We hope you are enjoying your summer read of Treasuring Grace. If you havent started, its not too late to enjoy all the cool author insights and discussion questions, so start up a book club group and get reading!
For those of you who are staying on schedule here are your book club questions for chapters 8 and 9.

In Chapter 8, how can you explain Liz’s choice of seats for the trip and her explanation for sitting there?

 

You’ve seen Liz and Scott together for several chapters. What observations do you have about their relationship, especially as it relates to their children?

 

In Chapter 9, why do you think Jake is so worked up about Alyssa’s feigned interest in Drew?

 

Why does Liz’s expression cloud briefly at the end of Chapter 9?

SPOILER ALERT:  

Discussion questions with authors insights:

 

In Chapter 8, how can you explain Liz’s choice of seats for the trip and her explanation for sitting there?

 

Liz initially states her reason clearly: so that Grace can see the horses. Alyssa didn’t hear her, and as people frequently do, Liz didn’t simply repeat her statement. Instead, she said that she wanted to be near each of her children, which was plausible. Alyssa’s teenager response about togetherness was easy to ignore, and could have just as easily been attributed to an empty window seat as to a bigger person sitting in the middle.

 

You’ve seen Liz and Scott together for several chapters. What observations do you have about their relationship, especially as it relates to their children?

Outside of a few jobs and note cards, their relationship is almost entirely sustained by their children. Their conversation is about them. Their activities include them. Liz even sits in the back of the truck when the seat could easily slide forward to give Jake more room. The loss of Grace created the void between them, but Jake and Alyssa prevent it from getting bigger.

 

In Chapter 9, why do you think Jake is so worked up about Alyssa’s feigned interest in Drew?

Jake is a good brother, and of course he doesn’t want his sister involved with someone who moves from girl to girl and brags about his conquests.  He also fears where an unwanted pregnancy may lead.

 

Why does Liz’s expression cloud briefly at the end of Chapter 9?

Liz is deluded.  But even in her fantasy, she sees herself as unsuitable for guiding her happy, mischievous daughter through life’s difficult decisions.  

Start reading chapters 10 and 11 for next week!