Book Summary and Reviews of Out of Esau by Michelle Webster-Hein

Book Summary

When a woman questioning her marriage encounters the kind and steadfast pastor of her small town, they are both forced to reconsider their pasts, their faith, and their future.

Robert Glory has never quite felt as though he fit in the small town of Esau, Michigan, but he finds solace in his role as the pastor of Esau Baptist and in his spare, orderly routine. When Susan Shearer arrives at his church seeking the strength to stay true to her increasingly volatile husband, neither expect that their immediate connection will upend both of their lives. As their relationship deepens and Susan's life at home becomes more unstable, Robert and Susan are forced to confront the wounds that have shaped them and discover if they still have the power to change.

Told from five different perspectives—including Susan's husband, Randy, her brilliant but high-strung young daughter, Willa, and Robert's long-estranged mother, Leotie—Out of Esau is a visceral look at the dynamics of an abusive marriage, a nuanced portrait of faith and its loss, and a sweeping story of redemption.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. What meanings do you make from the title "Out of Esau," besides its connection to the final scene of the novel?
2. The biblical story of Jacob and Esau is woven throughout the novel, with Robert coming to view Esau as the victim of the story rather than the villain. How does this mirror Robert's shift in how he sees himself?
3. The story of Jacob and Esau also relates to the theme of inheritance. How do you see each character grappling with what they've inherited?
4. Which of the five perspectives struck you as reliable, and which did not?
5. In one way, Out of Esau is a story of outsiders. How does each character's outsider status contribute to the stuck situation in which they find themselves?
6. Leotie, a victim ...