Discuss Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

May. 26, 2022
by angelaw

Everly blamed herself for Mora's death. How does guilt impact grief? Why do you think we blame ourselves when we really had no control?

Apr. 28, 2022
by SKB

How did Augusta's decision to choose to save Thomas over Eliza affect Charles' story later in life? How did you feel when you read it? Did you wonder what you would have done?

Apr. 27, 2022
by scottishrose

Why do you think Everly's grandfather changed the story of the Pulaski sinking each time he told it? Do you have family stories that are part of your heritage that have changed over time?

Apr. 27, 2022
by scottishrose

The city of Savannah is a character in its own right. Is there a city that is important to you? Do you believe that if you love a city, you must care about its complicated history?

Apr. 27, 2022
by scottishrose

What was the most interesting artifact for you? What do they tell us about the people who boarded the ship?

Apr. 27, 2022
by scottishrose

Did you know about the sinking of the Pulaski before you read this book? Why do you think that stories like this get lost to time? What surprised you most when you learned about this shipwreck?

Apr. 27, 2022
by scottishrose

In hindsight, should the Longstreet family have traveled separately? Were they taking unnecessary risks? Did you ever blame Lamar Longstreet?

Apr. 27, 2022
by scottishrose

Everly thinks, "I know this: we're made of stories, legends and myths just as we are made of water, atoms and flesh." What do you think she means? Do you agree?

Apr. 22, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

Do you agree that Augusta and Lilly had no options? Did their social class play into this at all? How are things the same today, and how are they different?

Apr. 22, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

How does the time period affect the rescue of those who survived the explosion? How might this story be different today?

Apr. 21, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

How do we make meaning of tragedy? How have you done this in your own life?

Apr. 21, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

Twenty years later, Charles earned the nickname "the Red Devil." What did you make of this? Can you think of others who survived something terrible only to become someone who did horrific harm to others?

Apr. 21, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

Everly’s friend Sophie discusses the history of slavery with her. "...You and I both know there's a difference between prejudice and obliviousness but sometimes it can have the same result." Do you agree?

Apr. 21, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

When Everly is narked on her dive, she hallucinates and sees her best friend. How does this impact her choices? What is the difference between her desire to stay alive and her desire to live?

Apr. 21, 2022
by ColoradoGirl

Everly thinks, "[I]n the end, and in the middle and the beginning, we are alone. The love that comes and goes in our lives is just a momentary reprieve." What do you make of this statement?

Apr. 10, 2022
by ashleighp

Do you believe in fate or is chance more a factor in tragedies such as those portrayed in the novel?

Apr. 09, 2022
by kimk

How do you think that working on the Pulaski's curation and learning about the women who were on the ship affected Everly? Does learning about other people's stories help us to understand our own?

Apr. 09, 2022
by kimk

What do you think of the portrayal of enslaved people in this novel?

Apr. 09, 2022
by celiap

What did you think of the endings for the three female narrators? Which do you identify the most with? Did you expect their endings? Which part of their stories touched you the most? Which part challenged you?

Apr. 09, 2022
by celiap

"The idea that surviving brings everyone to a new and better place is a lie told by people who need the world to make sense." Do you agree with this?

Apr. 09, 2022
by joannev

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

Surviving Savannah

Discuss Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

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

Everly blamed herself for Mora's death. How does guilt impact grief? Why do you think we blame ourselves when we really had no control?

How did Augusta's decision to choose to save Thomas over Eliza affect Charles' story later in life? How did you feel when you read it? Did you wonder what you would have done?

Why do you think Everly's grandfather changed the story of the Pulaski sinking each time he told it? Do you have family stories that are part of your heritage that have changed over time?

The city of Savannah is a character in its own right. Is there a city that is important to you? Do you believe that if you love a city, you must care about its complicated history?

What was the most interesting artifact for you? What do they tell us about the people who boarded the ship?

Did you know about the sinking of the Pulaski before you read this book? Why do you think that stories like this get lost to time? What surprised you most when you learned about this shipwreck?

In hindsight, should the Longstreet family have traveled separately? Were they taking unnecessary risks? Did you ever blame Lamar Longstreet?

Everly thinks, "I know this: we're made of stories, legends and myths just as we are made of water, atoms and flesh." What do you think she means? Do you agree?

Do you agree that Augusta and Lilly had no options? Did their social class play into this at all? How are things the same today, and how are they different?

How does the time period affect the rescue of those who survived the explosion? How might this story be different today?

How do we make meaning of tragedy? How have you done this in your own life?

Twenty years later, Charles earned the nickname "the Red Devil." What did you make of this? Can you think of others who survived something terrible only to become someone who did horrific harm to others?

Everly’s friend Sophie discusses the history of slavery with her. "...You and I both know there's a difference between prejudice and obliviousness but sometimes it can have the same result." Do you agree?

When Everly is narked on her dive, she hallucinates and sees her best friend. How does this impact her choices? What is the difference between her desire to stay alive and her desire to live?

Everly thinks, "[I]n the end, and in the middle and the beginning, we are alone. The love that comes and goes in our lives is just a momentary reprieve." What do you make of this statement?

Do you believe in fate or is chance more a factor in tragedies such as those portrayed in the novel?

How do you think that working on the Pulaski's curation and learning about the women who were on the ship affected Everly? Does learning about other people's stories help us to understand our own?

What do you think of the portrayal of enslaved people in this novel?

What did you think of the endings for the three female narrators? Which do you identify the most with? Did you expect their endings? Which part of their stories touched you the most? Which part challenged you?

"The idea that surviving brings everyone to a new and better place is a lie told by people who need the world to make sense." Do you agree with this?

Sorry, Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan 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 Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan

Sorry, Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.