Discuss Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo

You're attending October's "Sorrow: This Is Art" exhibit. You sit down across from her and take her hands. What emotions would she feel in you right now?

Dec. 17, 2020
by beckys

Why do you think Joe feels Bob was a bad father? Do you think his opinion is justified, given his upbringing? Do you agree with him in general?

Dec. 18, 2020
by marks

What do you think it is about October that Joe finds attractive, given his own background and upbringing? How does he change as they become more involved? How does October change?

Dec. 15, 2020
by rosienick

There are many big things in the book: a big dog, big trees, a big birdcage, big love, big friendship, and big art concepts. Do you think the author is trying to show or tell us something here?

Jan. 03, 2021
by cynthiaw

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

Jan. 04, 2021
by Lavender

October's gift for "feeling" other's emotions

Dec. 31, 2020
by vickys

October says: "I think love is the ultimate art project. To me, there's nothing more beautiful...than truly and purely loving another human..." Is this kind of love truly possible?

Dec. 18, 2020
by cynthiaw

October bakes when she's stressed, while Joe plays guitar for solace. Do you have a hobby or ritual you engage in when you're upset?

Jan. 04, 2021
by Lavender

October asks Joe, "Have you ever been in a relationship where, even though there's nothing obviously wrong, you just have a sense it's not where you're supposed to be?" How would you respond?

Dec. 27, 2020
by poniesnpearls

Joe's beliefs

Dec. 31, 2020
by vickys

Joe states that he's not a brave man. Do you agree with him? How do you define bravery? Do you consider yourself brave? Why or why not?

Dec. 22, 2020
by marks

Joe says: "Art isn't about people who are better than us showing us how much better they are, it's about being reminded of the ways in which we are all the same." Does this ring true for you?

Dec. 11, 2020
by peggyt

Joe responds to October: "Art is how to tell not the truth, but my truth. It's a way to communicate who you are and what you feel." What do you think of his answer? How do you define art?

Dec. 17, 2020
by Brittany P.

Joe repeatedly asks Sam, his dead brother, for a sign about which direction to go. Do you have any rituals or superstitions that you use when trying to decide between two options?

Dec. 27, 2020
by poniesnpearls

Joe is a sensitive character. How would you describe his relationship to masculinity? How do you think the constructs of a masculine society affect Joe's self-esteem?

Dec. 23, 2020
by beckys

Joe feels that October couldn't perceive facts while he believes it's facts, not emotions, that matter. Do you think his assessment is accurate? Do you rely more on emotions or facts when judging a situation?

Dec. 11, 2020
by peggyt

Joe and Cal's friendship runs deep. What is Joe to Cal? Discuss the impact they've had on each other, in childhood and as adults. Would you have forgiven Joe, as Cal did?

Jan. 03, 2021
by bill

Happiness is a consequence of choice

Jan. 01, 2021
by juliaa

Do you consider October to be the epitome of a young, accomplished, independent woman and artist? What do you think of her? How did she end up in the love triangle between Joe and Cal?

Dec. 22, 2020
by marks

Do you believe a person can right themselves back onto the path on which they belong, especially after so many wrongs? And is there a 'right' path?

Dec. 15, 2020
by Jessica F

Discuss the birdcage project. What do you think it symbolized for October? For Joe?

Jan. 03, 2021
by bill

Discuss Joe's obsession with trees and, in particular, redwoods. What role have the trees played in his life? Have you ever experienced nature in the way that Joe does?

Dec. 12, 2020
by cathyoc

Can an object hold a person's essence or energy?

Dec. 27, 2020
by cynthiaw

Cal tells Joe to never trust someone who isn't moved by song. Do you think this is fair? Do you agree? What's your relationship to music? Is there a particular piece of music that moves you?

Dec. 28, 2020
by PattiPM

Cal tells Joe that "Dreams aren't just ideas… They're maps." What do you suppose he meant? Do you think that's true?

Dec. 27, 2020
by juliaa

Cal states, "It's never too late to be the person you really are." Does Joe seem to buy into this philosophy at any point in the novel? Do you agree or disagree with Cal's assessment?

Dec. 17, 2020
by Brittany P.

Cal states, "It's impossible to become less of yourself by doing something you really wanna do. You can only become less by not doing it." What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

Dec. 14, 2020
by peggyt

"The Clock Is Ticking"

Jan. 03, 2021
by bill

Sorrow

Discuss Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo

Ask the Author

You're attending October's "Sorrow: This Is Art" exhibit. You sit down across from her and take her hands. What emotions would she feel in you right now?

Why do you think Joe feels Bob was a bad father? Do you think his opinion is justified, given his upbringing? Do you agree with him in general?

What do you think it is about October that Joe finds attractive, given his own background and upbringing? How does he change as they become more involved? How does October change?

There are many big things in the book: a big dog, big trees, a big birdcage, big love, big friendship, and big art concepts. Do you think the author is trying to show or tell us something here?

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

October's gift for "feeling" other's emotions

October says: "I think love is the ultimate art project. To me, there's nothing more beautiful...than truly and purely loving another human..." Is this kind of love truly possible?

October bakes when she's stressed, while Joe plays guitar for solace. Do you have a hobby or ritual you engage in when you're upset?

October asks Joe, "Have you ever been in a relationship where, even though there's nothing obviously wrong, you just have a sense it's not where you're supposed to be?" How would you respond?

Joe's beliefs

Joe states that he's not a brave man. Do you agree with him? How do you define bravery? Do you consider yourself brave? Why or why not?

Joe says: "Art isn't about people who are better than us showing us how much better they are, it's about being reminded of the ways in which we are all the same." Does this ring true for you?

Joe responds to October: "Art is how to tell not the truth, but my truth. It's a way to communicate who you are and what you feel." What do you think of his answer? How do you define art?

Joe repeatedly asks Sam, his dead brother, for a sign about which direction to go. Do you have any rituals or superstitions that you use when trying to decide between two options?

Joe is a sensitive character. How would you describe his relationship to masculinity? How do you think the constructs of a masculine society affect Joe's self-esteem?

Joe feels that October couldn't perceive facts while he believes it's facts, not emotions, that matter. Do you think his assessment is accurate? Do you rely more on emotions or facts when judging a situation?

Joe and Cal's friendship runs deep. What is Joe to Cal? Discuss the impact they've had on each other, in childhood and as adults. Would you have forgiven Joe, as Cal did?

Happiness is a consequence of choice

Do you consider October to be the epitome of a young, accomplished, independent woman and artist? What do you think of her? How did she end up in the love triangle between Joe and Cal?

Do you believe a person can right themselves back onto the path on which they belong, especially after so many wrongs? And is there a 'right' path?

Discuss the birdcage project. What do you think it symbolized for October? For Joe?

Discuss Joe's obsession with trees and, in particular, redwoods. What role have the trees played in his life? Have you ever experienced nature in the way that Joe does?

Can an object hold a person's essence or energy?

Cal tells Joe to never trust someone who isn't moved by song. Do you think this is fair? Do you agree? What's your relationship to music? Is there a particular piece of music that moves you?

Cal tells Joe that "Dreams aren't just ideas… They're maps." What do you suppose he meant? Do you think that's true?

Cal states, "It's never too late to be the person you really are." Does Joe seem to buy into this philosophy at any point in the novel? Do you agree or disagree with Cal's assessment?

Cal states, "It's impossible to become less of yourself by doing something you really wanna do. You can only become less by not doing it." What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

"The Clock Is Ticking"

Sorry, Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/booktalk for a full list of conversations.

Discuss Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo

Sorry, Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/booktalk for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/booktalk for a full list of conversations.