Discuss Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin

Jan. 23, 2020
by Elizabeth Marie

Why do you think the entire collection was named after the story, "Evening in Paradise"?

Jan. 23, 2020
by Elizabeth Marie

Did it impact the way you read the stories knowing that the author had died? How about the fact that although not necessarily autobiographical the stories were "close enough for horseshoes"?

Jan. 23, 2020
by Elizabeth Marie

The last three stories are about an older woman traveling the world alone as a tourist. Did you find this adventurous/brave or foolhardy? Have you ever taking a vacation by yourself?

Jan. 23, 2020
by Elizabeth Marie

Have you discussed short stories in a book club setting before?

Jan. 23, 2020
by Elizabeth Marie

What recurring themes did you find running throughout the stories?

Jan. 19, 2020
by julianna

Do you regularly read short stories, and if so, what in particular do you like about the genre?

Jan. 02, 2020
by janicea

"Cherry Blossom Time": What did you think of Cassandra's husband's reaction to her believe that her life is stuck in a rut? Do you consider yourself someone who sticks to a routine?

Dec. 26, 2019
by jennie r

What element of Berlin's writing style did you enjoy the most? Does her writing recall any other authors to mind?

Dec. 24, 2019
by Elizabeth Marie

Based on her stories, how do you think Berlin views the relationships children have with the adults in their lives, including parents, aunts and guardians? Do you agree with her assessment?

Dec. 23, 2019
by scgirl

"Endado": It seems as if the loudest voices for change are often those of young adults. Why do you suppose this is?

Dec. 18, 2019
by rebeccar

Throughout the book, many of the men and women depicted are unfaithful to their partners. What do you think the author is saying about romantic relationships and marriage?

Dec. 18, 2019
by rivkahh

"Noel, Texas, 1956": Was Tiny justified in her anger? Did you find the ending funny or tragic?

Dec. 17, 2019
by juliaa

The first two stories highlight specific childhood memories. Do these instances call to mind memories from your pre-teen years?

Dec. 16, 2019
by Elizabeth Marie

"Itinerary": Why do you think the narrator's parents had someone meet her at each airport transfer? Do you recall your first trip away from home without your parents?

Dec. 16, 2019
by Marcia S

"Noel, 1974": What kinds of expectations do we place on our children, fairly or unfairly? Are there lifestyle choices your children might make that you'd find difficult to accept?

Dec. 09, 2019
by dorinned

"Endado": Talking about "army brats and children of diplomats," the narrator writes, "The problem is.... that they adapt so quickly and so well." What do you think she means by this? Do you agree?

Dec. 07, 2019
by Lole

"La Barca de la Ilusion": Do you think May should have given the situation another chance or was she right to leave? What do you think you would have done in similar circumstances?

Dec. 06, 2019
by josephinej

"Lead Street, Albuquerque": What did you think of Rex and Maria's relationship? Do you think Rex ever intended to take her and the baby to Italy with him?

Dec. 05, 2019
by skagitgrits

Which of the stories was your favorite and why? Which was your least favorite, and why?

Dec. 05, 2019
by skagitgrits

Are there any specific quotes in the novel that you found meaningful?

Dec. 04, 2019
by djcminor

"Itinerary": Could you have predicted the trajectory of your life? Which aspects were as you imagined they'd be and which weren't?

Dec. 04, 2019
by Lole

"Our Brother's Keeper": Do you think we bear responsibility for our inaction, when we know someone we care about is making an error? Do you think Sara would have listened if others had expressed concern?

Dec. 03, 2019
by Lole

"Sometime in Summer": Why do you think the girls were friends? Do you recall any childhood friendships that stretched across racial or ethnic lines?

Dec. 03, 2019
by teacher reader

Berlin reuses some names across stories, while other stories use different names for the same woman. Why do you think she used this technique?

Dec. 03, 2019
by josephinej

If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?

Dec. 03, 2019
by katherinep

Did you find the Buddhism concept that "life is suffering" and the Mexican attitude that "life is cheap but it sure can be fun" reflected in Berlin's work? Do you agree with either statement?

Dec. 01, 2019
by Lole

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Evening in Paradise

Discuss Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin

Overall, what do you think of Evening in Paradise? (no spoilers in this thread please)

Why do you think the entire collection was named after the story, "Evening in Paradise"?

Did it impact the way you read the stories knowing that the author had died? How about the fact that although not necessarily autobiographical the stories were "close enough for horseshoes"?

The last three stories are about an older woman traveling the world alone as a tourist. Did you find this adventurous/brave or foolhardy? Have you ever taking a vacation by yourself?

Have you discussed short stories in a book club setting before?

What recurring themes did you find running throughout the stories?

Do you regularly read short stories, and if so, what in particular do you like about the genre?

"Cherry Blossom Time": What did you think of Cassandra's husband's reaction to her believe that her life is stuck in a rut? Do you consider yourself someone who sticks to a routine?

What element of Berlin's writing style did you enjoy the most? Does her writing recall any other authors to mind?

Based on her stories, how do you think Berlin views the relationships children have with the adults in their lives, including parents, aunts and guardians? Do you agree with her assessment?

"Endado": It seems as if the loudest voices for change are often those of young adults. Why do you suppose this is?

Throughout the book, many of the men and women depicted are unfaithful to their partners. What do you think the author is saying about romantic relationships and marriage?

"Noel, Texas, 1956": Was Tiny justified in her anger? Did you find the ending funny or tragic?

The first two stories highlight specific childhood memories. Do these instances call to mind memories from your pre-teen years?

"Itinerary": Why do you think the narrator's parents had someone meet her at each airport transfer? Do you recall your first trip away from home without your parents?

"Noel, 1974": What kinds of expectations do we place on our children, fairly or unfairly? Are there lifestyle choices your children might make that you'd find difficult to accept?

"Endado": Talking about "army brats and children of diplomats," the narrator writes, "The problem is.... that they adapt so quickly and so well." What do you think she means by this? Do you agree?

"La Barca de la Ilusion": Do you think May should have given the situation another chance or was she right to leave? What do you think you would have done in similar circumstances?

"Lead Street, Albuquerque": What did you think of Rex and Maria's relationship? Do you think Rex ever intended to take her and the baby to Italy with him?

Which of the stories was your favorite and why? Which was your least favorite, and why?

Are there any specific quotes in the novel that you found meaningful?

"Itinerary": Could you have predicted the trajectory of your life? Which aspects were as you imagined they'd be and which weren't?

"Our Brother's Keeper": Do you think we bear responsibility for our inaction, when we know someone we care about is making an error? Do you think Sara would have listened if others had expressed concern?

"Sometime in Summer": Why do you think the girls were friends? Do you recall any childhood friendships that stretched across racial or ethnic lines?

Berlin reuses some names across stories, while other stories use different names for the same woman. Why do you think she used this technique?

If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?

Did you find the Buddhism concept that "life is suffering" and the Mexican attitude that "life is cheap but it sure can be fun" reflected in Berlin's work? Do you agree with either statement?

Sorry, Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

We have migrated to a new forum for book club discussions, please join us for our latest discussions on the BookBrowse Community Forum.

Discuss Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin

Sorry, Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlin is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.