May 2009: These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner

The title

I've been vocal on how much I hate the title of this book and how I put off reading it for years because of it. I only read it because it was a book club selection and ended up loving it. How did you feel about the title?

Hard Life

Do you think you could handle living this life that they had on the Arizona territory?

Characters

Who was your favorite?

The Duchess of Warwick

What is the significance of Sarah's inerest in "The Duchess of Warwick and Her Sorrow by the Sea"?

Marrying Jimmy

How did you feel when Sarah married Jimmy?

Jack and Sarah

What makes Jack and Sarah such a perfect match?

Do you like Sarah?

Does Sarah fit your traditional definition of a "heroine"? What characteristics about her do you like or dislike?

Sarah

Sarah might consider herself an unlikely heroine, simply doing what she could to survive. how does she compare with modern women in determination and courage?

Jack

Jack Elliot is an elusive lover. Why does this make him more desirable, since his role is not forbidden love but unwanted?

life in Arizona territory

Given the terrible hardship of life in Arizona Territory during the 1880's and 1890's, the desperate need to survive drove Sarah to do things that today might seem ruthless. Yet, she remained a caring and loving person. How do you think you would have fared?

Jack's past

Consider Jack and Sarah's relationship. How does the single event known about his childhood color everything in their lives?

Education

Although she remains "quaintly unsophisticated" throughout her life, Sarah's thirst for education fuels much of the plot. How does her education change her and those around her?

Jimmy

Why did Sarah marry Jimmy? If he had lived, could they have forged a better relationship from the remains of their marriage?

Time

What is the significance of Jack and Sarah exchanging time pieces for their wedding gifts to each other?

Savannah

Sarah obviously feels awe for Savannah. How does Savannah share the same respect for Sarah?

Religion

There are many references to religion and evidence that religious teaching, though very informal, influenced each person in the book. Sarah seems to have a practical approach to theology while Savannah remains deeply spiritual. How does this balance maintain each of them?