A stunning tour de force about ambition and friendship, “All is Vanity” is a new book nobody should miss. "...people are greedy and foolish, and wish to have and to shine, because having and shining are held up to them by civilization as the chief good in life...." -- William Dean Howells Topics for Consideration Pages 1-115 1. "I was a promising child." With these words, Margaret Snyder introduces us confidentially into her inmost thoughts and world from the first sentence, speaking in a clear first person voice. How effective is this beginning in engaging the reader? Does it make you feel more sympathetic to or involved with the character? Do you know anybody like Margaret? Does she seem real? The Point of View in this book is fascinating: Margaret seems determined to explain herself to us: is what she's saying about herself what you hear? What is your first impression of Margaret? 2. Margaret and Letty in this first section both want to "have and to shine." Why? What does each say is her motivation? Are their reasons different? Why are these two women friends: what does each do for the other? Which one are you the most like? Responses from our Readers: --I think she lacks confidence in her own ability and is searching for an outlet. She wants to create something - something tangible, so that people will give her respect - attention. If she can do this, she will finally achieve self-respect. Where does this come from?-- Joan P --Margaret's motivation: high achiever: fulfillment of ambition, recognition by others in society. Expressed emotionally by need to rise from obscurity to recognition through attainment as a published author.--Frugal --- Letty's motivation: she feels like a "loser" we deserve the best, we're not where we should be. Fulfillment of status needs. Expressed in consumerism and advancement from middle class to high income status class--Frugal --Both women feel deserving to obtain fulfillment of their needs --Frugal 3. The author begins each chapter with the name of the person addressing the reader. If the names were not there, could you tell who was speaking anyway? Are their voices different? How? If sentences were taken at random without identification and you were asked to identify each character, could you? Who does Letty speak to most often, and how, and how (if it does) does her voice change in any way when she does? Do you see a difference in voice between Letty speaking to us, Letty speaking to Margaret on the phone, and Letty's emails? What might those changes indicate? 4. "But I'm excruciatingly honest. It's a fault really." (page 79). Is Margaret really honest? With whom? The reader? Herself? Letty? The people she meets? How much of a role does comparison to others play in her life? What happens when she encounters others? How fragile is her sense of self worth and what is it based on? 5. How would you describe the first 115 pages of this book if you were telling a friend about this book? What element most stands out for you? 6. Is there anything ironic about Margaret's desire to write a book? 7. Who is happier and more content as the book opens, Letty or Margaret? Why? 8. "But Letty’s been listening to Margaret all her life."--Pedln Do you have any friends you've had from childhood? How is that type of friendship unique? What kind of friends are you attracted to? Do you have friends who are exactly like you or who compliment you? Are there any characteristics of friendship that you enjoy replicated in Margaret and Letty's association? Would you say Margaret and Letty supply the other with something missing in the lives of each? 9. Is Margaret a fraud? "Only to herself, Ted, and Letty. Those who see her from a distance must see her as pathetic. " --Pedln Do you agree with this? Whom do you see Margaret as most honest with? 10. "Margaret wants to be somebody to others, rather than being happy with herself as a person and doing what makes her happy."--Marvelle Do you agree that Margaret is not happy as a person? What are some indications or symptoms that she can’t she be happy with herself?? 11. When you think of your earliest school memories, do you tend to remember "things" or people most?? Which does Margaret think of? What does this indicate about her? 12. What do the incidents of foreshadowing do to the tone of the piece? How would you describe the tone of the book so far? 13. "I wanted people to meet me and think, 'Ah, someone worth my notice.' I wanted them when speaking to me to stop gazing absently over my shoulder, hoping someone more interesting would arrive. Simply, I wanted them to recognize me for the person I believed I truly was." (113-114) Who does Margaret believe she really is? How would others be able to recognize these qualities? Who doesn’t want to be recognized as a person of worth? Doesn’t everybody? What sort of people is she around who gaze absently over her shoulder for others? Does she come in contact with these people through her husband Ted? Why do they bother her so? Why does Margaret seem to suffer such setbacks at the most casual encounter? 14. "Maybe her friendship with Letty is based strongly on the idea that each of them agrees on their mutual image of who they are and how they relate to each other and the world. They share insecurities. Maybe BOTH need to rethink who they are?" --Harriet What do you think is the basis for Letty and Margaret's friendship? 15. We know that Letty is talking about status, and Margaret longs for recognition of her true self. Are these two desires different? 16.Who is more creative, Letty or Margaret? How? 17. Is there a difference in being selfish and self centered? 18. Do you find Letty funny? Who is the funniest to you, Letty or Margaret? 19. How many different themes/issues/continuing threads can you find in the story? Responses Suggested by our Readers: --the question of responsibility between the friends (Frugal) --the lack of salary versus the spending of Michael and Letty (Frugal) --Ted's attitude about Margaret's writing (Callie) --writing a book: the process --what motivates Margaret and Letty --choices, choices, choices: the choices women have (Maryal) --betrayal: little betrayals, betrayal of friends, betrayal of self. 20.Who is responsible for the outcome of a situation, especially if it turns out badly, the person who influences the outcome or the person who acts because of being influenced? Did the forshadowing techniques used in the book stimulate your interest and make you ask yourself the question of responsibility in influencing a friend's decisions? (Frugal) 21. What is the difference between advice and subversion? What is the duty of friend/family towards a person's dream? How should one support another? Should a friend offer support unquestioningly or should she comment on deterrents to the dream so that these hazards can be considered and overcome? (Marvelle) 22. Most of us now think we have an idea on Margaret, what motivates her, who she is. But what of Letty? "It means you do what you believe to be right." "then I hope that all of us in this class have ingtegrity." "Well, we don’t. Letty does." (page 18). In this flashback Margaret describes Letty to the world, and "integrity" is the word she chooses to describe her in the sixth grade. How would we describe the Letty we see? Would we also use the word "integrity?" 23. What sort of friend is Letty to Margaret? What would you do in a situation like the one described below? Your best friend has taken leave of her job and she's going to try to write a book. She reads you the outline which she has excitedly pasted up all over the living room. You, however, hate it. You think it's the worst thing you ever heard? What would you do?? What would a real friend do?? What did Letty do that was so bad that Margaret tore down the papers to the extent that it pulled the paint off the walls? What did this indicate about their friendship? "A good number of you see that Margaret has no special talent for writing - and you have no trouble expressing it here. Why doesn't her close friend Letty set her straight? Because she doesn't want to hurt her? Because she still doesn't know it? Or because she knows Margaret already knows?" (Joan P) 24. Do Letty's letters differ from her emails? If so, how? Do either of these differ from her phone calls? What possible conclusion can be drawn from these differences? Could Letty be embellishing one or more of her methods of communication and if so, why? For what purpose? 25. Margaret speaks in her own voice but the book has a lot of other voices which tell us maybe she's not as she presents herself: the book is full of flashbacks, Ted's reflections, and everybody the poor woman meets give us another opinion of Margaret. What opinion does the reader form of Margaret, one based on her own comunications or one based on what the other evidence shows? Which opinion do you think is the correct one? What does the reader know of Letty? Do we know as much about her? HOW do we know about her? What evidence in the book does the author leave for us to determine her motivations? Where does Michael tell us about her? Who describes her and what do they say?

Topics for Consideration: Part II: The Shining Pages 117-bottom of 227 1. "Finally, back up the ladder I went, and, crouching under the beams, shone my light along the tumbled tacks of boxes. I was searching for my promise." (page 167). What does Margaret find in the attic? Does it change her perceptions of herself, her parents, or Letty? What do her remarks on Letty's letters reveal, about her and Letty? "At some point, for instance, Margaret explains the difference between her early childhood projects and her adult ambition."--Christina Schwarz What IS the difference between Margaret's early childhood projects and her adult ambition? 2. "How much did I pay for those tiles?" (page 148) How many changes in Margaret's life come about as a result of this remark? Are any of them positive? 3. "But he was relentless. '...writing group,' he was saying. 'Thinking of taking a semester off to write it up…'" (page 212) This is the third time belonging to a Writing Group has been suggested in the book. How does each differ with the other and how do they mirror Margaret's decline? 4. "If only I'd given up. …I mistook my folly for strength. I clenched my teeth and shook the printed pages in my hands. I would use my desperation, marshaling it to speed my fingers forward. I would write a novel, I told myself, or die in the attempt. As if it were only a matter of will." We tell our children that anything is possible, that the sky's the limit, that you can do anything you want, all you have to do is try. Is this true? What happens when you can't? What happens when did you find out you can't do anything you like? Did this happen to you and what was the effect on you? Have you ever tried a last ditch effort to achieve something? 5. "I would use it as an exercise, a jumping-off point from which I would then create my own character. I began simply by copying the relevant portion of Letty's e-mail into a document….I changed 'Robert' to "Lexie,' a new character, an intriguing character, a character who, just as the how-to-write books had promised, suddenly seems to be knocking on the inside of my head demanding to be let out… By late afternoon, I'd written five pages. Well, to be honest, I'd written about three and Letty had written two. Later, I'd change the sentences I'd borrowed from her, and she would be pleased, I thought, to know she'd been my muse. I read her latest e-mail again, snipping for myself details here and there describing the house that had finally attracted Lexie. 'Letty, Letty, Letty, ' I said to myself, 'you shouldn't buy this house.'" When Letty asked Margaret what gift she wanted, do you think this is what she had in mind? What role do honesty and responsibility play here on the part of both friends? If writers supposedly write what they know and take "snippets" from their daily lives, what's different about what Margaret is doing? Why didn't Margaret send the email and express concern to Letty about her not being able to afford that house? Would you have? 6. TONE: Can you give one example of how the tone in this section is changing? Do you have the feeling that the roller coaster is nearing the top and the car is slipping and jerking? Do you have an uneasy feeling? What are some of the circumstances in the plot that might cause this foreboding? 7. "I had no illusions that a twelve-year-old could teach me anything about writing now. I just thought it might be comforting to have her old voice near me." How many voices does Letty now have? How many does Margaret have? Why do the characters seem to have more than one voice? 8. "This is the final breaking point for M, I think. She's lost her dreams (her vanity! Is Letty's friendship not vanity -- has Margaret reached that point yet?" (Marvelle) 9. Whose point of view are we seeing in this story? 10. "I felt, for the first time in my married life, utterly alone….dragging my way across the hard sands of the endless, empty beige desert below. Deliberately, one by one, I ate all of my peanuts. At least I would make good on that." (page 181) What has caused Margaret's feeling of being utterly alone? What implications does it have for Margaret and her life? 11. As she continues, she becomes more introspective. She begins to write about her feelings. She begins to criticize Michael. However, she doesn't stop to listen to Margaret and I don't think she realizes how insecure Margaret is. After all, Margaret has always been the strong one in their friendship. I wonder if Letty even reads Margaret's e-mails. She never comments on them; she just writes about her own life.--Callie Do you agree that Letty is just broadcasting details of her own life? If so what does this indicate about the nature of their friendship? Which friend seems more true to the other? Do you think this represents a change for Letty and if so why would the author change the character of Letty at this point in the book? 12. Neither Margaret or Letty was receiving the type of reflection from their husbands that she received from her friend, so there was a certain kind of incompleteness in them unless they were together face to face, on the phone, or in letters and emails. Neither had become strong enough on her own to accept what their heads told them they were, right or wrong. --Malryn What is the special nature of friendship between married women, and how does it differ when husbands are not in the picture? If the nature of the "reflection" between them changed, would the weakest one succumb to temptation first? If so, who is the weakest of the two friends? 13. WHY doesn't Margaret have any other friends? She has no confidante or compatriate whom she can share her innermost passions and positions with! Don't we all need that person with whom we can drop the pretenses, evasions, and excuses? Don't you all have someone that you can call or go to and "let it all hang out?" Margaret doesn't seem so blessed and for that I feel sorry for her. She holds on to Lett. as she holds on to her 7th grade treasures. Is she seeking some intimacy that she needs? ---Andrea 14. Totally Scientific "Voice" Poll: Can you identify the speaker?? 15. "A year ago, despite my public protestations to the contrary, I'd been pretty sure that an elevated place in the world had been reserved specifically for me. I'd assumed that I only needed to reveal my long-hidden talent, to throw off the bushel basket, so to speak, and those who had disdained me would gather round in awe to admire my light. But what if, after all, I had no light?? What if the basket had been a useful cover allowing me to pass among those who otherwise would discern my undesirability. I now had to consider the possibility that I'd thrown off my bushel basket…" What happens if you throw off the bushel basket, take a chance, announce to the world you HAVE taken the chance, be vulnerable, and…..MAYBE you have no light? Is this something which comes to each person? How should Margaret handle it? 16. What gets Margaret into trouble....her writing skill or her values? A similar question for Letty. Do we look at her skills or her values for answers? (Betty) 17. A different focus... How does contemporary society measure success? Margaret thinks she knows. (Who gets hired to tutor children? Someone who attended the Right University.) Letty and Michael seem caught up in a whirlwind of measurement...Similar to a dress code, an appearance of wealth is prescribed. (Betty) 18. Which one of the two, Margaret or Letty, at this point, DO you feel most involved with or sympathetic about? Why? What motivates Margaret's ambition? Is there an equal emphasis on Letty's motivations or does Margaret outshine her in the text? 19. Is Letty's new found "shining," a threat to Margaret? Once before we've seen Margaret a bit resentful of Letty's chat when Margaret wanted to talk about herself. Is it possible that Margaret is more deliberate than she thinks? The dynamic in everything Margaret has experienced keeps changing; could she be trying to subconsciously reestablish their old dynamic? When one friend changes drastically, does it mean the old friendship is over? Are both of these women using each other from the beginning? Our Continuing List of Themes/Issues/Recurrent Threads in the Novel

Topics for Consideration: Part III: A Parable of American Consumerism Pages:228-313 1. What is the most important lesson to be learned from this section? (Hats) 2. Margaret muses over "dramatic tension" as the tension in her own story accellerates. What is the effect of this technique on the reader? Do you have the feeling of distance, and could that be the author's intent? Why would distancing the reader at this point help the story line? 3. Margaret and Letty both change in this section, is it for the better? What triggers their, as Letty puts it, (page 245) "transformation?" 4. Margaret is aware of her snake- like new position as shown in the metaphor on page 270, "My words slithered, unstoppable, from between my lips." Since she reveals she not only knows what she is doing, and what it makes of her, WHY is she doing it? 5. Dante put Cassius and Brutus with Judas in the lowest section of the Inferno. Is Margaret's betrayal on the same level as that of Cassius and Brutus? Why or why not? 6. How does Letty's "voice" on page 244 differ from that in her emails on 245 and 246? What does that signify? 7. In how many ways are the two friends's lives parallel? What happens in this section to the dynamics of both marriages and the friends's relationships? 8.Why did Ted shake his head when he read the ms (page 312)? Why did he say, "Oh Margaret!" Does he know Letty's situation at all? Does he realize what's happened? What does he mean? 9. This section contains one of the only (is it the only) emails of Margaret in the book. Why now? What is the subject of it and how is it different from Letty's? 10. Letty's emails are full of little "disclaimers" that tell the reader (and should tell Margaret) she's in over her head. What is the effect of these on the reader? Does it make you more or less sympathetic to her? "I also bought an orange-picker at the flea market, so we'll be ready when the oranges come. This will be some time after we plant the trees against the side fence. Which will be after we install the side fence. Which should be sometime next week. One cannot buy fruit north of Wiltshire from the shopping carts of illegal immigrants, at least I've not seen any yet, so I've decided we'll grown our own. The children can pick the oranges for juice , after their morning tai chi workout with Michael. I'm going to enroll him in a class that meets in Glenview park at dawn next month and once he gets the basics down he can teach the kids. This, in any case, is my plan, although it means that Michael will have to become an early riser...." What does this passage reveal about Letty and her aviodance of reality? 11.What is the climax of the story? What was the one turning point from which there was no going back and which changed everything that followed it? One possible climax is on Page 259: "Until Ashleigh appeared at In My Dreams, [Don't you LOVE the irony there, the double entendre?] I'd had lingering qualms about Lexieing Letty. Whenever my pages had surged ahead, infused with Letty's reactions, even sometimes with her own words, I'd reminded myself that this was only an exercise, a means of teaching myself how to create a character, a skill I would then apply to a far different character in far other circumstances. My reunion with my former student, however, wiped away all such niceties." What does Margaret's encounter with Ashleigh have to do with her friendship with Letty or her obligations as a human being? I think it happens a little earlier, back when Margaret writes the five pages, three of which (or maybe it was two) are stolen from Lettie. When I read that, I saw nothing but more theft. I suppose it could have turned around, but I was pretty sure that it wouldn't. She has taken the first false step, and it works. She will go on. (Maryal) I had a very strong feeling that this novel was at a real turning point when Margaret found the box in the attic and Letty's camp letters, but for me the climax comes four pages beyond this week's limit. (Malryn) Margaret throws her manuscript down the airshaft.(Page 316) "So I won't be a writer," she decides. An email comes from Letty about the deep financial hole she's in, and Margaret decides she'll give the advance for the book-which-has-no-publisher to Letty as her redemption. She can't retrieve the printed manuscript, but she can and does retrieve her files in the computer and begins writing the final chapters of the book. Margaret had a chance truly to redeem herself, but blows it by convincing herself she'll save Letty, the one she's helped destroy. I think this is the point of no return. (Malryn) 12. Margaret tells Warren on the Gensalen stock sale that "I'll be responsible." (page 274} Who, in your opinion, IS most responsible for Letty's problems? Is it Margaret? 13. Margaret says on page 259 that Lexie's story is "a parable of American Consumerism." Is it? Is that what it's a parable of? What other things could it be a parable of? 14. "A party for the museum people is a brilliant idea." (Page 253). Through similar little give away sentences the reader sees Margaret at work through Letty's response, repeated and revealed many times. Why do you think the author chooses to reveal Margaret's perfidy this way? 15.Why was Letty was afraid to tell Michael the actual extent of their debt? Why did she hide the bills from him? She DID NOT buy this stuff alone: when she first recognized financial reality and got so scared, why didn't she throw those bills right on their imported octagonal maple dining room table to face TOGETHER? Why did Letty feel so guilty and alone? (Harriet) Our Continuing List of Themes/Issues/Recurrent Threads in the Novel

Topics for Consideration Part IV: Redemption Pages:314-368: Conclusions, Questions, and Deep Breaths "Among the best parts of writing are the splinters of moments when something you've set in motion for no particular reason seems to take on a life of its own. " ---Christina Schwarz 1. "Yours sincerely, Peggy Snyder" (page 367) "Yours sincerely, Letitia MacMillan" (page 368) What do these signatures mean? Do they signify anything? Has Letty forgiven Margaret? Should she? Have Letty and Margaret changed, then, down to their names? Which one changed for the better? Which one has not? Which one has learned the greatest lesson? 2. What is the most important thing to you in these last 50 pages? 3. Letty still treasures the mutual affection that she USED to be sure was between them and she still misses it in her life. But how can old times ever be recovered when she knows that Margaret is capable of such betrayal? (Harriet) What future do you forsee for these characters? Has either really learned anything or changed? 4. Do you find it odd that what bothers Letty, what she can't forgive, is not the betrayal but that Margaret thought more of the regard of others than she did of Letty? "That in her mind she will always be Robinson Crusoe and I will always be Friday, I can forgive. Who is not, after all, the heroine of her own life? But that she cared for the world's regard more than she cared for me, how can I forgive that?"(Page 367) 5. Can you understand Letty's reasoning in the quote above? What does it mean that Letty still calls "Peggy" Margaret? 6. Why can't Letty or Letitia forgive Margaret? Are there instances where YOU could not forgive? Would what happened here be one of them for you? Isn't refusal to forgive a sin? Is it a bigger one than the wrong done TO her? 7. In the interview in the Atlantic Monthly Magazine the author is quoted as saying "Letty writes her letters with Margaret in mind. She is, in a sense, making a character of herself in a story for Margaret-in fact, in an early plan for the novel, I thought of having it turn out that Letty had made everything up. I'm still attracted to that idea." How would this twist have changed the book? Would Letty's co-duplicity have lessened Margaret's burden of guilt? 8. What would you say is the main theme of this book? Do you find it incongruous or a sign of times in a book written in 2002? 9. Letty asks for money from her parents on page 318, and her mother says, "You always had to have the best, didn't you?" And she asks Mother what are you talking about and Mother goes on about a prom dress, old wounds, the old Kabuki dance of the critical parent/ child relationship, and even Letty's statement about "Lottie asked to go to Medical school," in response to her mother's comparison of "Lottie would never ask for money," brings no answer. What is your opinion of Letty's circle of support? Do old wounds tend to fester in times of stress? Why does Letty's mother bring up a prom dress, Letty is a long way from the prom? How do Letty's and Margaret's parents parallel each other? What is "Lottie" short for? 10. How does the author indicate througout the text the false values and principles each of the characters is following? Does the fact that the characters themselves admit their own failings exacerbate or ameloriate the outcome? 11. One of the reviewers of this book mentioned its dark comedy or black or dark humor. What is dark comedy? Is this a comedy? Is it a tragedy? How would you characterize this book? 12. Do you see satire? Who or what is being satirized? 13. What happens when you don't forgive? 14. What would you say the tone is at the end of the book? Is it more realistic or sober than it started out? 15. In the Afterword Judge Brant (page 367)suggests the reason that Letitia spurns Margaret. Did you think this passage odd; what does it mean? "You ask me to consider whether it was the prospect of living in Margaret's reflected glimmer, and thereby taking on my own glow, that attracted me from the start. If I am honest, I must admit there is some truth in that." What on earth can this mean? What "reflected glimmer?" In writing a book? Is Letty saying she knew all along? Is Letty saying that way back there when Margaret came to visit with a gift and Letty said I have nothing for you and Margaret said I need ideas for the book, IS Letty actually saying that she has known all along, and she might have even been helping? If not what IS she saying? "Still it is certainly not her failure, as you suggest, that makes me turn from her now." Is it possible that the judge is right and Letty can't forgive Margaret for failing, causing them both to crash? Could the "Judge's" voice actually be that of the author? 16. parable: A simple story that teaches a lesson or illustrates a moral principle. Like an allegory, details of a parable parallel the details of the situation calling for illustration. Jesus's parables are contained in the Synoptic Gospels. Earlier in the book the term "A Parable of American Consumerism" is used to describe Margaret's book. Is there a parable here at all, and if so, what is it and of what? What is the lesson we are to learn? Did we learn it? 17. What is the "Vanity" in this book? Self-delusion, false values, external vs internal referencing(Bobbiecee) Ambition (Hats) the futility of trying to be something you aren't (Malryn) the wrong motivation in life a form of selfish conceit that it is all about oneself (Joan P) 18. Was Letitia's name shortened to Letty because in her family's mind she did not live up to the name Letitia? (Carolyn From New Zealand) 19. When she writes her checks to Letty, she always writes "for redemption" on each one. Why? Isn't that an overt attempt to gain Letty's sympathy and make Letty feel guilty for breaking off contact? (Harriet) 20. What is the climax of the story? What was the one turning point from which there was no going back and which changed everything that followed it? One possible climax is on Page 259: "Until Ashleigh appeared at In My Dreams, [Don't you LOVE the irony there, the double entendre?] I 'd had lingering qualms about Lexieing Letty. Whenever my pages had surged ahead, infused with Letty's reactions, even sometimes with her own words, I'd reminded myself that this was only an exercise, a means of teaching myself how to create a character, a skill I would then apply to a far different character in far other circumstances. My reunion with my former student, however, wiped away all such niceties." I think it happens a little earlier, back when Margaret writes the five pages, three of which (or maybe it was two) are stolen from Lettie. When I read that, I saw nothing but more theft. I suppose it could have turned around, but I was pretty sure that it wouldn't. She has taken the first false step, and it works. She will go on. (Maryal) I had a very strong feeling that this novel was at a real turning point when Margaret found the box in the attic and Letty's camp letters, but for me the climax comes four pages beyond this week's limit. (Malryn) Margaret throws her manuscript down the airshaft.(Page 316) "So I won't be a writer," she decides. An email comes from Letty about the deep financial hole she's in, and Margaret decides she'll give the advance for the book-which-has-no-publisher to Letty as her redemption. She can't retrieve the printed manuscript, but she can and does retrieve her files in the computer and begins writing the final chapters of the book. Margaret had a chance truly to redeem herself, but blows it by convincing herself she'll save Letty, the one she's helped destroy. I think this is the point of no return. (Malryn) I think the TURNING POINT is the section ending at page 314. Michael and Letty now REALIZE that they're in over their heads financially, the promised land of job and grand house = grand life is an illusion and they can't/won't get out. They're committed to continuing on to the bitter end. Meanwhile Ted and Margaret are in silent collusion over the novel's betrayal and their personal betrayal; neither will warn Michael and Letty. Margaret REALIZES that she's Letty's enemy and we know she isn't going to stop her betrayals. Four turning points in this section of Vanity for the four main characters. (Marvelle) 21. What else could Margaret do to atone? (Joan P) 22. Can a more cautious relationship resume in which Letty understands her friend's true personality better? Could Margaret try to achieve a less self-centered relationship? Can they ever see each other without a painful recall of the perfect trust they both once had in each other? (Harriet) 23. Does anyone ever get over the need to "shine?" (Joan P) External Referencing "External referencing game" is 'other-esteem vs self-esteem. Acquisition, emphasis on the material, on viewing oneself through one's material possessions, one's job, one's education, etc. 'I am my job, my house, my car, my important friends, my bank account, my education, etc.' Whereas one can have internal pride in self when one has reached one's goals and succeeded, those accomplishments should not be the defining factors. ---Bobbiecee Our Continuing List of Themes/Issues/Recurrent Threads in the Novel: --the question of responsibility between the friends (Frugal) --the lack of salary versus the spending of Michael and Letty (Frugal) --Ted's attitude about Margaret's writing (Callie) --writing a book: the process --what motivates Margaret and Letty --choices, choices, choices: the choices women have and make (Maryal) --betrayal: little betrayals, betrayal of friends, betrayal of self. --The introduction of Jeanette Peabody. (Frugal) --The biotech stock purchase "Genslen" (Frugal) --ambition --change/ parallels in the lives of the characters --forgiveness (Joan P) --honesty (Malryn) _________________________ Our 31 Questions for the Author "How hard it is to set goals appropriate for the person you WISH you were...and have only yourself with which to complete them." --Harriet

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Quotes by our Participants

"When Christina Schwarz writes a book, clear the schedule, find a corner and read as fast as you can, then go back and savor!!! " ---Lou2

I assessed the novel as a parable in American Consumerism, the vanity of social status, what price one pays for unrequited ambition, the meaning of true friendship. At the end of the story I shouted aloud Well done Christina!! ---Frugal

It is so much fun to read a book and discuss it with others. SN Books is the best discussion group I have ever participated in. I think we really give the young'uns a run for their money. Nicky my daughter who belongs to a "Live" book discussion group has been very impressed with the depth of our discussions. She often pops in and reads our posts. ---Carolyn

Sometimes we say words that are very complex and hold MORE than one truth in them. Yet no one can predict WHICH aspect of those truths another person will choose to focus on. Margaret told, dramatically I'm sure, SEVERAL truths during Letty's trial...her own desperation to shine, her own selfish deviousness, and her sincere regret and repentance. In all of that probable morass of words, the truth that Letty grasped most painfully of all was how Margaret's love was limited by her selfishness. Letty has lost the loving friend she was once sure she had and finds a tainted stranger in her place.

What would forgiveness consist of? Can a more cautious relationship resume in which Letty understands her friend's true personality better? Could Margaret try to achieve a less self-centered relationship? Can they ever see each other without a painful recall of the perfect trust they both once had in each other? ---Harriet

Love the kind of novel where the characters have a life of their own which continues, in the readers' minds, beyond the pages of the book!---Marvelle

In re what made Margaret the way she was, my assessment. In her family of origin, I see it as both her Mum and Dad instilling in her that she, and they, were ‘better than’ others. This often leads to what Margaret was experiencing in adulthood……low self-esteem when interacting with peers, a feeling that she needs to excel (like teaching wasn’t good enough), and chopping and changing as she tries to find one area where she can excel (and fulfil her parent’s expectations for her), and with a continual feeling of failure and inability to face reality. I found her character and her constant chopping and changing very disturbing.

This chopping and changing started in early childhood, continued through teenage and into her adult years...She lives on hope but is unable to settle and focus, or even participate in proper goal setting, etc. I do believe that Ted tried to get her to focus but she resisted him continually, accused him of trying to keep her down, stifle her...

I feel Margaret’s life, even as Peggy, will continue to be a disappointment unless and until she can fully deal with all her issues. At the end of the book, she was in shame and punishment mode. She will either continue in self-defeating behaviours to punish herself, or will soon be off again on more unfocused and delusional adventures. ---Bobbiecee

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