DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

chapter

  1. Alice-Ann struggles to accept how her outward appearance could affect her love life, fearing that she’ll end up like her aunt Bess, caring for her brother and sister-in-law’s family. What begins to change her attitude? Is there anything in your life that compares to Alice-Ann’s journey?
  2. At first, Alice-Ann has a hard time with her new city-girl sister-in-law. In what ways does she reach out to Irene, extending a hand in friendship? How does she miss the mark?
  3. While Alice-Ann is convinced from a very young age that Mack is her “one true love,” others who know him well seem convinced that he’s not good husband material. Why are they able to see things about him to which Alice-Ann was blind? Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this?
  4. How did you feel about the German prisoner, Adler, helping to deliver Irene’s baby? Does this seem like a realistic part of the story? How does it change Alice-Ann’s perspective on the war?
  5. When the wounded Carlton returns to Bynum, the townspeople call him a hero, a label he denies —but only privately to Alice-Ann. What prevents him from confessing the truth? Should he publicly denounce the title thrust upon him? What would the response be, do you imagine?
  6. Aunt Bess tells Alice-Ann: “You can’t choose who you fall in love with, but you can choose who you marry.” Do you believe both parts of that statement are true? Why or why not?
  7. Both Aunt Bess and Irene tell Alice-Ann that Psalm 25:17 played a significant role in helping them through difficult times. Irene even confesses that she had been trying to solve her problems herself. Describe a time in your life when you felt overwhelmed by “distresses.” How did you handle it? What does this verse say to you?
  8. Papa suggests that “When life comes at you fast, take a little walk and have a little talk with the good Lord. He’ll straighten things out for you.” How do you react when “life comes at you fast”?
  9. On the way back from Savannah, Alice-Ann runs into Sandra, a girl she went to school with, and is surprised to learn of her family’s circumstances. Is Alice-Ann being fair to herself when she thinks she’s been so wrapped up in her own war story that she missed the stories within her own community? What else might Alice-Ann have missed? Are there stories of others in your life that you might be missing?
  10. Even up to the final chapters of the story, Alice-Ann seems to hold some doubts about her one true love. What do you think finally convinces her of the truth? When have you doubted the path God has laid out for you?