Okay, so I obviously chose this book for its “novelish” properties since I wanted something that would afford a little R&R, but I also chose it because I believe these kinds of books have so much “real life” application. Every time I read them I’m struck with a deep sense of connection and understanding for the characters in the book, sometimes relating to them (and their struggles) personally and sometimes seeing them as a close friend or family member who may be experiencing a similar trial. I love “these types of books” – the novels written by LDS authors – because they leave me with such a feeling of love and peace and hope. I literally get transported into another world when I read, and tend to get consumed with the story and the characters (especially if it’s a good book that I love such as this one) but when I emerge I truly believe I’m better for it because I’ve learned through fiction a life lesson that may one day become a reality for me. In my estimation this book, and books like it, are far more “classic” and infinitely more applicable (not to mention enjoyable) than most of the so-called classics that the “world” has deemed as such. Perhaps that makes me a Neanderthal. Or perhaps that simply means the gospel has given me more enlightenment than the rest of the world. Whatever the reason, I am truly grateful for such inspired authors as Rachel Ann Nunes, Anita Stansfield and Michelle Ashman Bell who have “…improve[d] upon (their) talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold…” D&C 82:18.
(Stepping down from the soapbox…)
Some thought provoking questions to get you started…
What did you think of the book? Loved/Hated it?
Who was your favorite character?
Were you impressed with the way Wayne was so understanding, loving and even accepting of Brandon and the whole situation or did it bother you that he didn’t get more upset?
Do you think Mercedes married Wayne for the right reasons? Is it okay to marry out of convenience and not for love?
Is it okay to doubt the decisions we’ve made in our lives (such as the spouse we chose) or does that make us a bad person?
Was Brandon treated fairly in the book? Did his disease play on your sympathies? If he’d been perfectly healthy, would you have still felt as compassionate for him?
Did Darrell deserve to know the truth when he was younger? At what age is it appropriate to tell children that they’re adopted or have a different father/mother?
What’s the most important thing you learned from this book?
Hadestown; Live Theatre and the Audience Exchange
5 months ago
5 comments:
Book read, and within the given month! Woo!
Love the fact that Heidi has given us some starters...
- Generally speaking, I am actually not a huge fan of "LDS" novels or that certain type of books by LDS authors, because they always seem to come across to me as massive soap operas (yes, Anita Stansfield, I am looking at you). Of all people, I understand that drama and engaging storytelling usually requires changes and big events in people's live - I suppose it seems to me that most "LDS authors" write somewhat immaturely in that the plot and major tragic events take precedence over character development and the details that really do make us relate to those characters. I do think this tendency is improving (yay, Michelle Bell!).
That said, I think "Fields of Home" (for me) was in the middle ground - it was a little overly soapy and dramatic, with some elements tossed in that didn't do much for me (the neighbor's baby, the daughter's illness and death, Wayne's heart attack) and seemed to be shoved in to try to draw out dramatic tension rather than really build the story. I did think the characterization was pretty good - Wayne felt the most "real" to me, and I was also interested in both Mercedes and Brandon's perspectives.
- I really appreciated the way Wayne handled the situation; his character didn't seem the type to get upset about things, and I felt that his trust and support was consistently written (and kudos to the author for still helping us feel his anxiety and concern).
- Just this week I had a conversation with a high school student who told me she believed anyone could make a relationship work if they were committed to communication and unselfishness - I think this book was a very good example of how to make that principle work. I felt like Mercedes didn't marry Wayne WITHOUT loving him - it was just a different kind of love than her love for Brandon, and love can change and grow and develop in all kinds of ways if the focus stays on communicating and making the other person's happiness a priority (no matter what).
- I think it's natural to question decisions we make in our lives - even major ones like the person we marry. It certainly doesn't make anyone a bad person to question... what matters is how one moves through the doubt to the new decision and commitment to the "real" covenants and promises that have been made and will continue to be made. It's like the idea that being "born of God" is not a one-time occurance - ideally, we'll be born of Go every day as we repent from our mistakes and re-commit to our baptismal and temple covenants. Slipping a little and doubting a little and wondering "What if?" now and then doesn't make us bad - it makes us human. Weighing the doubts and doing our very best to make the right decisions (with the Lord's help) is what makes us heavenly.
- I think that society's perceptions on adoptions are changing - some say that children shouldn't be told they're adopted until they're mature enough to handle the information, but others I've talked with recently have said that they themselves (and the child/children they adopted) knew from the beginning that they were adopted AND that they were completely loved and accepted by the "new" family. I come down in favor of sharing the information openly from the beginning - that way the child has the time to accept the situation and recognize the love and blessings of the adopted family without huge shocks and perception changes later. As a society we keep learning and changing and finding new ways to interact and learn from each other - all we can do is keep adapting as best we can!
This has been WAAAAY long - good for you for getting all the way through it!
Thanks so much for your comments C! I especially enjoyed the paragraph about being "born of God" on a daily basis and your feeling that it's okay to doubt and wonder and make mistakes as we then recommit to our Heavenly Father each week in partaking of the sacrament and renewing our covenants. Way to bring it all back to the basic principles of the gospel!
Overall, I loved this book!
I agree with Charisse that there were a few things in the story that didn't really do much such as the daughter's illness and death. I do think Wayne's heart attack was a big part of the story because Mercedes had to decide what she wanted most - life with Wayne even if it meant giving up Darrell.
Wayne must have had great trust in Mercedes to be so accepting of Brandon's visits and I admire him for that. I don't think Mercedes married him out of "convenience." I think it was just a different kind of love. With Brandon it was more of a lust-love relationship. With Wayne it seems to be love born out of kindness and generosity. Anyone who has ever been in love knows that love is not static - it grows all the time. I love Neil much much more today than I did the day I met him, or the day I married him, or the day Ben was born, etc etc etc.
I also appreciate and agree with Charisse's insights on being "born of God." I am so grateful for the Atonement and for the sacrament each week. I am grateful for the weekly opportunity to reflect and repent and commit to do better in the coming week.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book very much - so much that we are adding a copy to our personal library.
I really enjoy LDS authors - it is good to read something uplifting with a good story too...
The one thing I took from this book is the thought that all of our choices have consequences - for good or bad. Those choices can affect our lives and the lives of others now and in the future.
For me I guess it made me reflect on all the wrong/stupid choices I have made and choices others have made and how they still affect me today and make me wonder how they will still affect my future. Consequences of choices are hard to let go of and can sometimes never be let go of...
I enjoyed the descriptive writing in this book. I love to see those pictures in my mind - the scene of the boys on the rope swing made me laugh and the sweetness of wayne and mercedes times together continued to remind me of the sweetness I have with Preston. I agree with Brit that loves continues to change and grow - after 15 years of marriage and many more years together before then I know that my love for Preston is more wonderful, deeper, sweeter, stronger than ever because of the things we have shared and been through together.
Guess that is all - not profound or exquisite (like charisse always is! Wow!) - but I did like this book and look forward to future reading!
I'm glad to hear that you both enjoyed the book Brit and Rory -- thanks for adding your thoughts!
Brit, I really enjoyed your insights on love -- the different aspects of love and how it's ever changing and always growing. It's a bit overwhelming to even begin to imagine the kind of love our Heavenly Father must have for us after all this time, if we can love the way we do after only a few years here on earth.
Rory, I thought your insights into the consquences of our choices were both "profound" and "exquisite" (in spite of your declarations to the contrary). I hadn't taken that much depth from the book when I read it, but I love that perspective because you're absolutely right that every choice DOES have a consequence, some of them affecting us for years to come, such as the choice to be baptized, or married in the temple. While some of our choices may have negative outcomes, think of all the positive choices we make each day that have a wonderful, everlasting effect not only in our lives but in the lives of our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.
I, for one, am grateful you all made the "choice" to read the book and share your thoughts with the rest of us. :-)
Post a Comment