|
Reader's Group Guide
Bookends by Liz Curtis Higgs ISBN 1-57673-611-3 w Alabaster Books/Multnomah Publishers w 334 pages w contemporary fiction 1. After the story, in a letter to her readers, Higgs writes that
the Moravians are fond of proclaiming as their watchword, "In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, and in all things love." She then states that this is a perfect rallying cry for the two main
characters, Emilie Getz and Jonas Fielding. Explain what she means by that. 2. Emilie Getz remarks early in the story (p. 16) to Jonas that she was "born Moravian." He apparently has only been Moravian for
five years, but we see in him a much deeper spirituality than we see in her. Like many people who are born into a church, she finally has to make the religion her own, that is, she must form a personal relationship with
God. What, then, for Emilie becomes that climatic moment when God forces her to choose between following Him or her own desires (p. 239). What might have happened to her spiritually if she had chosen otherwise? 3.
When Jonas is thinking about Emilie after he meets her, he thinks she is pretty and smart, though extremely cold-natured. What the Lord tells him to do is to show her "fullness of joy," to show Emilie
"who I am" (p. 43, 186-187). What is it about Jonas that God sees as obviously good for Emilie? What in their personalities make them exact
opposites? What in their personalities compliment each other and are even the same? Discuss their relationship in terms of Psalms 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in
your presence; with external pleasures at your right hand" (NIV). We need reminded every now and then that God wants us to experience joy! Which character, Emilie or Jonas, did you you most closely mirror?4. There
are several minor characters in the story who make quite an impact on the main characters' lives. One is Helen Bomberger (p. 27), the other is a younger woman named Beth Landis, who is the church secretary (p. 67).
Discuss the importance of each woman's role in the story. 5. One of the biggest spiritual challenges in Jonas' life is his brother, Nate. Discuss your feelings about Nate and his rebelliousness against everything he'd
been raised to believe, and then Jonas' decision to practice tough love on him in the end. How did this end up helping both brothers?6. From the
beginning of the story Jonas is trying to avoid a woman named Dee Dee. What is it about her that he dislikes, and do you think most single men would be put off by her? Did you expect Jonas to give in to her approaches ever? Why or why not? How did you feel about her in the beginning of the story, and did that ever change?7. Bookends
is a very charming and delightful story. What did you find to be some of the funniest moments between Emilie and Jonas? Were there any other incidents in the story which made you want to laugh? Explain. 8. Higgs set
Bookends against the backdrop of a community of Moravians. What were some of the distinctive characteristics and/or history of the Moravians that you noticed being mentioned throughout the story? Did you find any
of their practices particularly appealing?
For More About the History of the Moravians Click Here |
