DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. The Oklahoma Dust Bowl forms the backdrop and sets the tone for this novel. How much did you know about the Dust Bowl before you read the book? Has anyone in your family passed down firsthand stories of what it was like?
  2. Nola’s mother died when she was ten years old. In some ways, the loss of a parent at a young age is something one never gets over. What elements of Nola’s current outlook can be attributed to this devastating loss? Who are some of the other women in her life who help to fill the mother role in small ways? Is there a situation in your life where the Lord has provided nontraditional sources of love and nurture or met some other need in an unusual way?
  3. Nola’s father is an unkind, bitter person. What do you think made him that way? How has his behavior affected his son and daughter? How have you seen patterns like this play out in your extended family?
  4. In chapter 12, Nola’s father calls her by her full name: “We need to be mindful of what our sin brings back to haunt us, Denola Grace.” Who do you suppose gave her the middle name Grace, her mother or her father? How is grace evident in Nola’s life, even though she has a hard time seeing it herself?
  5. In chapter 13, Nola remembers learning about God’s forgiveness as a child, and she can even quote 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And yet her father’s suspicious nature and disapproval made it hard for her to trust in God’s grace. She says, “I always felt dirty, and Pa made me believe that I was.” Why is it often easier to trust what people say about us than to believe what God says in the Bible? In what areas of your life have you struggled with this?
  6. In chapter 17, Nola receives and accepts Christ’s forgiveness for her sin of adultery, but she stops short of confessing to Russ. “I know I must also confess to my husband, but to do so now would destroy my assurance of grace.” Why do you think she feels this way? Is she right, or is this just one more excuse to help her avoid confessing? Can you think of a time in your own life when you needed to confess to a loved one or do something else that was difficult, and you came up with a way to talk yourself out of doing it? What were the results?
  7. In chapter 19, Nola once again tries to confess to Russ, but instead he asks her forgiveness for not realizing how difficult Jim was making things for her. Nola again backs off, reasoning that she is doing Russ a favor by not burdening him with any more regret. “This will be the price of my freedom —yet another lie to carry. But like any burden, I’ve grown used to the weight, and I take it on.” Does her self-deception here seem logical to you? Why or why not? What are some other ways we turn things around like this, making wrong seem right and right seem wrong? Why do we sometimes find that so easy to do?
  8. In chapter 20, Russ and Nola discuss the fact that they married because Nola was pregnant. Russ says, “Sin or not —you made me feel like a man. Like I was fulfilling what God wanted me to be. Like Solomon, or David.” What do you think of Russ’s statement here? In what way does he feel like he is fulfilling God’s plan for him? In what way is he falling short of God’s plan? Do you think Russ —like many in our culture today —overemphasizes the importance of a person’s sexuality? Why or why not?
  9. When Nola finally confesses to Russ in chapter 32, he says he still loves her as much as ever. Does that seem realistic, or is it something that would only happen in a novel? Have you ever been in Russ’s position —betrayed and deeply hurt by someone you love? How did you respond, or how do you hope you would respond if this were to happen?
  10. While Russ assures Nola of his continued love, there is a distance between them that lasts for a year or more. What finally bridges the gap? How does it make Nola feel? How realistically does this reflect real life?
  11. Throughout most of her life, Nola has a hard time feeling God’s love for her —or anyone’s love, for that matter. Have you ever had this experience? How important is it for a Christian to feel God’s love? What are some things we can we do when our faith in God isn’t emotionally gratifying?
  12. At the end of the book, Russ announces his intentions to return to Oklahoma, and Nola —finally restored to both God and her husband —feels ready to face it. Do you think this is the right choice for their family? How do you imagine each of them will adjust to returning home? How might Ronnie and Ariel respond?