Discuss Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

Oct. 29, 2018
by NancyPH

What are some of the "old mythologies" discussed by Mary and Thatcher, to which people cling for comfort? Are any of these still popular in the modern era?

Oct. 31, 2018
by JLPen77

What do the creative names and botanical character identities reveal? How have the various characters' education or backgrounds shaped their perspectives? Why do you think some can think outside "the cardboard box"?

Oct. 31, 2018
by JLPen77

Thatcher settles finally on seeing Mary Treat as "a giant redwood: oldest and youngest of all living things, the tree that stood past one eon into the next." Do you agree?

Nov. 03, 2018
by judyg

How do the characters in two centuries variously understand and connect with the natural world?

Nov. 03, 2018
by judyg

Why do you think Kingsolver chose lines from Wallace Steven's "The Well Dressed Man with a Beard" for the epigraph?

Nov. 03, 2018
by judyg

The shooting subsequent not-guilty verdict are actual historical events. Is the anecdote relevant to the present? What is the role of journalism in a healthy society? Who is responsible for its integrity?

Nov. 05, 2018
by Maggie

Final Words and Chapter Titles as Transition Points and Thematic Markers

Nov. 05, 2018
by Maggie

If you were in charge of casting a movie of this book, who would you cast as each character?

Nov. 05, 2018
by Maggie

How does loss affect this novel's characters? Is the nature of grief constant across human experience? How might "the loss of what they know" influence people's political behavior?

Nov. 05, 2018
by JLPen77

What do the living spaces throughout the novel suggest about the people living in them? Figuratively speaking, which foundations turn out to be solid, or precarious?

Nov. 05, 2018
by bill and jackie

Dusty's future

Nov. 05, 2018
by bill and jackie

Which of the challenges confronting Willa are hers alone to bear? What is the foundation of her successful relationship with Iano? How has marriage changed, or not changed, since the time of Rose and Thatcher?

Nov. 07, 2018
by franee

When Thatcher sees the world "divided in two camps..." what is he observing? Which of the novel's characters are the former, and which are the latter? Where would you place yourself?

Nov. 12, 2018
by AntoinetteC

What is the "precise balance of terror and mollycoddling" that Charles Landis manages? How, when, and why do you think people respond to this leadership style?

Nov. 12, 2018
by AntoinetteC

In shifting between chapters, what changes did you notice in the characters' language, or the narrative tone? In what ways did you find the two separate narratives connected?

Nov. 14, 2018
by RebeccaF

Who or what does Kingsolver feel is unsheltered?

Nov. 14, 2018
by RebeccaF

If you could write one additional chapter after the ending what would you write?

Nov. 17, 2018
by Lloster

Why do you think happy marriages so rarely appear in fiction?

Nov. 24, 2018
by ErinJ

What surprised you most about this book?

Nov. 26, 2018
by MarieA

How are Zeke and Tig preparing differently for a future in which they will have less than their parents? Did the novel move you to any new insights about generational difference?

Nov. 27, 2018
by rco

As their relationship shifts, what does Willa learn from Tig? How might "the secret of happiness" be "low expectations?"

Nov. 27, 2018
by rco

How are Mary Treat's eccentricities related to her strengths? In what ways is her friendship especially valuable to Thatcher? What is the role of the scientist in times of social upheaval?

Nov. 27, 2018
by rco

Do you find Nick's bigotry and anger comprehensible? Why is Tig so patient? How do the family's conflicts relate to the polarization of present times?

Nov. 30, 2018
by franee

Kingsolver changed title at the last minute from Unresolved to Unsheltered. Which do you prefer?

Dec. 10, 2018
by windellh

is there any sympathy for Rose who says she did everything right?

Dec. 10, 2018
by windellh

Which realities in Mary's century, and ours, do people find difficult to see? What are the costs? Is it possible to view ourselves objectively in our own time?

Dec. 10, 2018
by windellh

Why do you think the author chose to set the story in two different centuries? And why these two in particular?

Dec. 10, 2018
by windellh

What family dynamics might have made Tig and Zeke so different and combative, while Jorge and his siblings are close and supportive?

Dec. 10, 2018
by windellh

Overall, what did you think of Unsheltered? (no spoilers in this thread please)

Dec. 12, 2018
by ritabook

Which of the characters would you most like to have over for dinner?

Dec. 12, 2018
by ritabook

What three words would you use to describe this book?

Dec. 12, 2018
by ritabook

Unsheltered

Discuss Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

Impact of Greek Heritage and Culture on the Novel

What are some of the "old mythologies" discussed by Mary and Thatcher, to which people cling for comfort? Are any of these still popular in the modern era?

What do the creative names and botanical character identities reveal? How have the various characters' education or backgrounds shaped their perspectives? Why do you think some can think outside "the cardboard box"?

Thatcher settles finally on seeing Mary Treat as "a giant redwood: oldest and youngest of all living things, the tree that stood past one eon into the next." Do you agree?

How do the characters in two centuries variously understand and connect with the natural world?

Why do you think Kingsolver chose lines from Wallace Steven's "The Well Dressed Man with a Beard" for the epigraph?

The shooting subsequent not-guilty verdict are actual historical events. Is the anecdote relevant to the present? What is the role of journalism in a healthy society? Who is responsible for its integrity?

Final Words and Chapter Titles as Transition Points and Thematic Markers

If you were in charge of casting a movie of this book, who would you cast as each character?

How does loss affect this novel's characters? Is the nature of grief constant across human experience? How might "the loss of what they know" influence people's political behavior?

What do the living spaces throughout the novel suggest about the people living in them? Figuratively speaking, which foundations turn out to be solid, or precarious?

Dusty's future

Which of the challenges confronting Willa are hers alone to bear? What is the foundation of her successful relationship with Iano? How has marriage changed, or not changed, since the time of Rose and Thatcher?

When Thatcher sees the world "divided in two camps..." what is he observing? Which of the novel's characters are the former, and which are the latter? Where would you place yourself?

What is the "precise balance of terror and mollycoddling" that Charles Landis manages? How, when, and why do you think people respond to this leadership style?

In shifting between chapters, what changes did you notice in the characters' language, or the narrative tone? In what ways did you find the two separate narratives connected?

Who or what does Kingsolver feel is unsheltered?

If you could write one additional chapter after the ending what would you write?

Why do you think happy marriages so rarely appear in fiction?

What surprised you most about this book?

How are Zeke and Tig preparing differently for a future in which they will have less than their parents? Did the novel move you to any new insights about generational difference?

As their relationship shifts, what does Willa learn from Tig? How might "the secret of happiness" be "low expectations?"

How are Mary Treat's eccentricities related to her strengths? In what ways is her friendship especially valuable to Thatcher? What is the role of the scientist in times of social upheaval?

Do you find Nick's bigotry and anger comprehensible? Why is Tig so patient? How do the family's conflicts relate to the polarization of present times?

Kingsolver changed title at the last minute from Unresolved to Unsheltered. Which do you prefer?

is there any sympathy for Rose who says she did everything right?

Which realities in Mary's century, and ours, do people find difficult to see? What are the costs? Is it possible to view ourselves objectively in our own time?

Why do you think the author chose to set the story in two different centuries? And why these two in particular?

What family dynamics might have made Tig and Zeke so different and combative, while Jorge and his siblings are close and supportive?

Overall, what did you think of Unsheltered? (no spoilers in this thread please)

Which of the characters would you most like to have over for dinner?

What three words would you use to describe this book?

Sorry, Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Discuss Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

Sorry, Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.