Butcher Discussion Questions

Penny Reynold's opens the scene setting the stage for a description of Amicable. Describe the town in which you grew up. Which parts of Amicable seem familiar (no matter the place)? Which descriptions are over the top?
The reader is introduced to Leo Jensen, a wandering Butcher. What is important about his name? Why did the author make him so tall?
The author's depiction of Reverend Deakins is important. How would you describe him? Why is he like this?
The bowling alley and the church are set as twin towers for and against each other throughout the book. Why do they represent? How are they used as agents of change?
The author uses the rumor mill as a means of information. For the older folks, it's face to face, verbal communication, for the younger ones, online. In both cases, how are rumors helpful and how are they harmful? What are some examples?
How does Butcher's 'reading' of people affect those around him? Do they trust him more or less?
What would you do if you came across a 'Butcher?'
Both Butcher and Rhonda, and John and Leslie, have to overcome obstacles in order for the relationship to move forward. What are these obstacles? How are they similar? Dissimilar?
As Rhonda moves further away from her mother, Connie, how does this strain their relationship? What does Connie do to attempt to 'keep' Rhonda close?
What do you see as the main point of the book? What is the role of trust in any relationships? (Spoiler - the author's intent was an attempt to show that love cannot actually grow without trust. Control is the antithesis of trust.) How do the characters attempt to control each other?
Many people have asked the question: why was Connie naked at the end of the book? (Author's answer: In order for Butcher to completely move past the loss of his mother - who he found naked in the tub after an overdose - the author wanted Butcher to come full circle. Connie 'revealed' herself at her lowest and Butcher found himself paralyzed and needed someone to save him. In this case, George. Once Connie, Rhonda and Butcher are saved from their pasts, life can move forward.)
How does Butcher make you think differently about relationships?

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The Sick House - Discussion Questions (SPOILERS!!!!!!!)

Before reading the book

How does the cover give you a clue about the book? On the back cover, there is a spelling inconsistency? Why do you think that is?

Futuristic, dystopian novels sometimes feel too far-fetched to be believable. How does The Sick House feel after reading the back cover?

The opening quotes by Coehlo and Hitler are printed on the lefthand page? Why do you think this was?

Part 1 – Chapters 1-9

Cloud End, a former holiday resort, is situated on the side of a cliff not far from the town of Herzfeld. What does your mind imagine when you read the description? Have you ever seen a place like this?

The book opens with a demarcation between Cloud End and Herzfeld. Describe the similarities and differences of the residents of both places. What is the mood? How do the characters view each other? How was this similar or dissimilar to your experience of COVID 19?

How does the author help you like or dislike characters from the outset? Which one did you most empathize with? Which did you detest?

If you were one of the ‘Halos’ at Cloud End, who is one person you would want to have stay with you? What is one type of person you wouldn’t wish with you?

The author specifically used ‘Social Media Intercepts’ and captured text messages to illuminate the disconnect, or dissonance, of reality with an online persona. How did this resonate with you? In what way do you see this in your feeds?

Part 2 – Chapter 10-19

Seraphim Wyman is a relatively minor character in the novel except for these chapters. Why do you think the author named her ‘Seraphim,’ and what role did this play in her action? How did this episode reveal the true nature of ‘the real virus?’

As most of the characters have been revealed by this point of the book, the author chose to show the dichotomy of two natures in two different places: Cloud End and Herzfeld. Which characters had foils? For instance, who were the opposites of Claire and Donald St. Croix in Herzfeld? In what ways were they different? Why would the author show this dichotomy?

Steve and Edgar resort to extremes to keep the Halovirus from Herzfeld. How did you see this happen in your location during the Coronavirus pandemic?

In Chapter 13, the characters’ online activity is revealed. If yours was being watched, what would be revealed about you? How would you respond if someone was monitoring yours?

In Chapter 16, Damian and Sydney are presented as a negative metaphor of modern marriage. Did the author get it right?

Throughout book, the author weaves the narrative that the ‘Sick House’ is actually a ‘House of Healing?’ How did the characters begin to heal? What was the impetus? How has contemporary Western culture lost this?

Part 3 - Chapters 20-28

In the last part of the book, three main symbols are used to metaphorically describe reality: Faucini Cliff, Halo Detectors, and Cloud End. What do you think the author wants you to see without saying it?

Which characters have been revealed as the ‘bad guys?’ In what ways have they been pawns to something larger, and in what ways have they chosen to debase themselves?

If you had the opportunity to embed your phone into your arm would you do it? Why or why not?

In Chapter 21, Donald St. Croix sheds his protective suit to mingle with the ‘Halos.’ How did you feel when he did this? Would you have done the same? Why or why not?

In Chapter 22, the Government, through Carl, has displayed the ‘Halos’ deepest, darkest secrets publicly. What would you do if that happened to you?

In Chapter 23, after Senator Faraday has caused a tragedy, one of the novel’s ‘good guys,’ Alonzo Turner, falls to his death over Faucini Cliff. At the same time, Gemma Cranmere is murdered in Herzfeld. Why did the author have these events occur simultaneously? How did you feel about Alonzo’s death as opposed to Gemma’s? Why did you feel that way?

In the climax of the story, Cloud End is set alight and the residents are trapped inside, except for one. Why did the author pointedly detail what Winston Faraday was wearing (pg 328)? Why was he wearing this outfit? (symbolically speaking)

As Cloud End burns, Steve Cranmere has a change of heart and returns to the scene of the crime. Does he redeem himself? Why or why not?

After reading the book

In the end, multiple characters die. Why do you think the author chose these people?

What did you learn about yourself and others after reading this book?

What were some of your favorite scenes or quotes from the book?

What was the most challenging, or most difficult, part of the book to understand?

How relevant or relatable are the themes or messages of the book to your own life, or to society for today?

What was the author’s purpose in writing the book?

How does information (or disinformation) affect you?

If you were to write a sequel to this book, what would be the storyline?

Which character did you find most complex or intriguing and why?

Are there any characters you wish you could have given advice to? What would you tell them?

How did the author generate tension in the book?

Did the author surprise or shock you with the twists and turns of the plot?

How did the author explore themes such as justice, morality, revenge, loyalty, or survival?

The epilogue shows Faraday and Isolde together. Is this a good ending? Why or why not? Why do you think the author chose to end it this way?

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