Happy New Year! We are very excited to begin 2010 with a fantastic book club selection, Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa. Please post in the comment box to let us know if you are participating in the discussion. Also, feel free to chime in at any time. Here are some great questions to start us off...
1. In the novel, Hailey consistently expresses her emotions by comparing her feelings to the feelings of characters from popular movies or television shows. What does this reveal about the impact of pop culture on young people today? More specifically, what does this reveal about Hailey’s mental/emotional state?
2. How, specifically, does Hailey’s view of religion change after she meets Moses?
3. In many ways Moses Watkins is a master of manipulation. In what specific ways does Moses manipulate Cyrus and Hailey?
4. Hailey describes Meridian as someone who grows on you "like a tumor." This statement seems to suggest that Meridian’s personality is cancerous. Do you agree with Hailey’s depiction of Meridian? In what ways is Hailey’s statement a metaphor for Hailey and Meridian’s relationship?
5. Many of the characters in the novel have a distorted view of religion. Discuss each character’s view of religion (particularly Hailey, her mother, Cyrus, and Moses) and explain how each view is distorted.
6. Though the novel’s ending is tragic, the final line seems strangely optimistic. How does Hailey’s final thought concerning the dirty little angels reveal her desire for redemption?
NOTE: Since we are all reading at different paces, we ask that you include "SPOILER" if your comment contains any plot spoilers.
When you have a moment, please check out the author's website for more information, http://christophertusa.com/.
1. In the novel, Hailey consistently expresses her emotions by comparing her feelings to the feelings of characters from popular movies or television shows. What does this reveal about the impact of pop culture on young people today? More specifically, what does this reveal about Hailey’s mental/emotional state?
2. How, specifically, does Hailey’s view of religion change after she meets Moses?
3. In many ways Moses Watkins is a master of manipulation. In what specific ways does Moses manipulate Cyrus and Hailey?
4. Hailey describes Meridian as someone who grows on you "like a tumor." This statement seems to suggest that Meridian’s personality is cancerous. Do you agree with Hailey’s depiction of Meridian? In what ways is Hailey’s statement a metaphor for Hailey and Meridian’s relationship?
5. Many of the characters in the novel have a distorted view of religion. Discuss each character’s view of religion (particularly Hailey, her mother, Cyrus, and Moses) and explain how each view is distorted.
6. Though the novel’s ending is tragic, the final line seems strangely optimistic. How does Hailey’s final thought concerning the dirty little angels reveal her desire for redemption?
NOTE: Since we are all reading at different paces, we ask that you include "SPOILER" if your comment contains any plot spoilers.
When you have a moment, please check out the author's website for more information, http://christophertusa.com/.
3 comments:
I'll be reading this book next week and look forward to joining in.
I'm so glad you will be joining us, Lydia!
I absolutely love the imagery in this book! The first few sentences, for example:
"The baby was a white fist of flesh. Mama had placed the ultrasound photo atop her dresser in a sterling silver frame. That night, when the pain bent her over in the kitchen, I imagined that same white fist punching her insides black-and-blue."
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