SweetgrassBy: Mary Alice Monroe
Category: FICTION
Guide Created By:
Discussion Leader(s): Ginny & Judy
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Guide DescriptionA crisis exposes hidden truths in a marriage and a way of life in this superbly written novel. This Reader's Guide contains an exclusive author interview and insights.
Background Information
Welcome to our Online Interview with Mary Alice Monroe.
SeniorNet Books was honored to have been able to offer this incredible event, an Interview with author Mary Alice Monroe, followed by an online discussion of her book Sweetgrass
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Questions & Answers from the SeniorNet Online Interview with Mary Alice Monroe
A Collection of Posted Messages by Mary Alice Monroe from the discussion Sweetgrass
Plot SynopsisSweetgrass is a splendidly written novel, full of characters who come alive, which examines issues of family relationships and secrets. This stunning saga explores change from the point of view of two families which both become involved in trying to preserve a way of life.
Taxes threaten Sweetgrass, an historical tract of land in South Carolina, which has been owned by the Blakely family for eight generations.
Development threatens the production of Muhlenbergia filipes known as sweetgrass, a local plant used in the basket weaving of the coastal islands and marshlands of the South, and a health crisis threatens a marriage and family in this gripping novel.
How each character deals with these crises and works out a solution for the preservation of old values and a new definition of family forms a poignant statement of the true meaning of family, hope, and forgiveness. The novel also contains much valuable information on sweetgrass basket making and environmental concerns. Some of our readers felt it was the best book they had ever read.
Our Reader's Guide contains an exclusive Author Interview and the Author's own insights into the writing of the book.
Biography of the AuthorA Biography of Mary Alice Monroe (from bookreporter.com)
Bibliography of Author's works Bibliography from Mary Alice Monroe's Homepage
Questions
~ For Your Consideration ~
Chapters 1 ~ 6
1. The book starts out in medias res in the middle of things, with a bang, the contrast between nature and the heritage of the house with the threat of losing it all, painting a vivid picture for the reader.
How do the references to nature parallel what seems to be happening to the people in the opening pages?
What tone do the descriptions in the very opening pages seem to give to the book? Is it one of sunshine and happiness or do you feel a threat? And if a threat, how many different sources does it have?
What effect did this beginning have on you personally?
2. "I've done my best- God knows I've fought the good fight. But I'm old now. And I'm worn out. I don't have it in me to fight them anymore." (p.14)
Let's list the broader issues, not only in this statement alone, but which are encompassed in the first 6 chapters here, both in the book and in life in general, what would you say are some possible themes developing here?
Efforts to conserve something: bisons, conservation of nature , saving the family home
Nature as a parallel to the plot
Threats, loss and the potential of loss
Change of situation, health, dynamics in a marriage and other relationships
Examination of foundations of old beliefs
Disintegration: of health, of a marriage, of friendships, of a way of life
Parent/ child relationships
Change in culture or a way of life, Gulah, Sweetgrass as heritage
The difference in perspective of what matters in life as seen in all the characters
The burdens that past generations place on current ones
Belonging or a feeling of separateness
3. "Maybe if that no-good son of ours had stayed home we wouldn't be in this mess." (page 15)….."'What did I bother working for all these years,' he called after her…'I have no one to pass this all down to.'" (page 16).
Is it realistic for Preston to blame his son Morgan for his troubles? What happens when a grown child seems to need to go his own way or seems not to value what his parents have sacrificed so much for?
The Blakeleys in this book have owned and run Sweetgrass Plantation for 8 generations, that's a long time. What seems most important to Preston, his son or his land?
Where is home to you? How many homes or houses have you had? How important would it be to YOU to keep your old family home in the family? What sort of a burden does that idea carry in 2005?
Do you know of any other similar situation in life where a father hoped to establish a dynasty and failed? Is there something illogical about this wish? Whose side would you be on in this case? Morgan's or his fathers?
4. Who is the narrator of this book? Whose point of view are we hearing? Whose eyes do we see it through?
5. What part do the small italicized passages which head up every chapter play in the developing story?
6. Which theme of all the ones we see above, the very first few pages, is the most important, to you in these opening pages? And we haven't even GOTTEN to friendship, the ecology or all the other terrific swirling imagery in this book.
7. What hiding-place do we look to, what help, if the earth itself is causing the ruin, if what protects us, upholds us, on which cities are built, which some speak of as kind of foundation of the universe, separates and reels? ~ Seneca, 62 AD
What happens when our very foundations, both physical and mental are shaken? Do we re-evaluate our own beliefs and assumptions or do we try to hold to them more? Which character (let's watch for this) makes the most effort and is the most successful? What is the result for everyone?
8. June and Preston see the world quite differently. Which one is right, do you think? Does the past generation have the right to burden the present one? Whose side are YOU on, Preston's or June's? Which one do you think has the best perspective? What IS important to June?
9. On page 83, Mama June announces that she's decided to bring Preston home. The reaction is not what she expected.
How realistic is that idea? What traits does this crisis and this decision bring out in each character? What do their reactions tell the reader about each of them?
10. Did June have a choice in bringing Preston home? Why or why not?
11. "And therein lies the heart of Sweetgrass. What is family? What are the ties that bind?"--Mary Alice Monroe
What IS family, to you? What is the definition in 2005?
12. Did June try to get Morgan to come home?
13. What is the pivotal point in this book so far? --Ella
the phone call--Ella
the stroke--ginny
June's decision to bring Preston home for his rehab --Ann....Hats....
Morgan's going away---Hats
14. If a friend asked you to describe Mama June over the phone, what would you say? Would you say she's passive? Would you say she's proactive or reactive at this point?
15. Would Morgan have come home because of Preston's stroke if the phone call had not been made? ---Ella
16. Who is the strongest character so far, in your opinion?
17.
"You think you know everything just because you got that college degree. Well there's a lot to know about people and life that you can't learn in books."
Now there's a conversation starter. Do you agree with Nona or not?
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Questions for Chapters 7 - 11
Questions for Chapters 12 - 16
Questions for Chapters 17 - End
Interesting Information"Mary Alice is a volunteer for several environmental groups including the South Carolina Center for Birds of Prey and The Island Turtle Team. Her work with these groups provided the inspiration for her novels, SKYWARD, THE BEACH HOUSE and SWEETGRASS." ~ Biography/bookreporter.com
Loggerhead Turtle Photojournal
Mary Alice Monroe Sea Turtle Rehab Fund
Skyward Launch Party and Fundraiser
Turtle Summer Photo Essay
Osprey Saga!
Photo Log: Island Turtle Team -- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island
A 2002 Interview - Quick Q&A With Mary Alice Monroe
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