Susanne M. Davis's Blog
August 1, 2022
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Gravity Hill News!
My new novel Gravity Hill hits the shelves this September, and I could not be more excited to share it with you.
Kirkus Reviews says, "A remarkable protagonist leads a robust cast in this absorbing tale of self-discovery."
Read the full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Kirkus Reviews says, "A remarkable protagonist leads a robust cast in this absorbing tale of self-discovery."
Read the full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
June 13, 2018
Readers' Guide to The Appointed Hour
For those reading or wanting to read The Appointed Hour, here are a few questions to help guide discussion. Please let me know if you'd like questions added or if you'd like dialogue.
The
APPOINTED
HOUR:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The following questions revolve around
significant themes and characters, and are
meant to guide readers toward a thoughtful
discussion of The Appointed Hour.
1. Throughout The Appointed Hour, we perceive a sense of interconnectedness between each story.
Discuss the presence of underlying themes and characters that give us access to the idea of universality
or common ground between stories.
2. Think about the relationship between “The Object of Desire” and “Dancing at the Sky Top with
Andrea.” Why does Davis choose to subvert chronology by placing the story of Andrea’s marriage to
the eventually-abusive Troy after the story of her experiences in the support group she joins after
separating from Troy?
3. Discuss the concept of fate in “Destiny’s Appearance.” Why does Earl think that Jamie is the son of his
former lover, Alyson Brand? The realization that Jamie is not Alyson’s son drives Earl to a sudden
revelation which manifests itself in a loving acknowledgment of his wife Marilyn. How are these two
events related, and what does this story tell us about the presence of destiny in our own lives?
4. In “The Law of Gravity,” why does Ricky interfere with the ending of Doug’s bungee jump? Think
about various potential motivations for Ricky’s actions, and discuss what might occur directly after the
conclusion of the story.
5. Think about themes of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness in the context of “John Mason’s Eye.” Discuss
the final scene of the story, in which Harold makes a major confession upon John’s return from the
hospital. How has this experience changed Harold’s perception of his brother, and how is John able to
forgive Harold for hurting him, knowing that he may have done so purposefully?
6. In “The Painted Lady,” why does Willie refuse to give the young woman a second tattoo? Do you agree
with his decision to refuse service to this customer? Why or why not?
7. Discuss the ending of the story “Merciful Like the Father” in terms of its religious or spiritual
connotations. In what ways are the observers of Mother Agnes’s fall and rescue comparable to a line of
people receiving communion, as Davis implies? And why is Mother Agnes’s face described as “the most
beautiful face any of us had ever seen?” (168).
The
APPOINTED
HOUR:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The following questions revolve around
significant themes and characters, and are
meant to guide readers toward a thoughtful
discussion of The Appointed Hour.
1. Throughout The Appointed Hour, we perceive a sense of interconnectedness between each story.
Discuss the presence of underlying themes and characters that give us access to the idea of universality
or common ground between stories.
2. Think about the relationship between “The Object of Desire” and “Dancing at the Sky Top with
Andrea.” Why does Davis choose to subvert chronology by placing the story of Andrea’s marriage to
the eventually-abusive Troy after the story of her experiences in the support group she joins after
separating from Troy?
3. Discuss the concept of fate in “Destiny’s Appearance.” Why does Earl think that Jamie is the son of his
former lover, Alyson Brand? The realization that Jamie is not Alyson’s son drives Earl to a sudden
revelation which manifests itself in a loving acknowledgment of his wife Marilyn. How are these two
events related, and what does this story tell us about the presence of destiny in our own lives?
4. In “The Law of Gravity,” why does Ricky interfere with the ending of Doug’s bungee jump? Think
about various potential motivations for Ricky’s actions, and discuss what might occur directly after the
conclusion of the story.
5. Think about themes of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness in the context of “John Mason’s Eye.” Discuss
the final scene of the story, in which Harold makes a major confession upon John’s return from the
hospital. How has this experience changed Harold’s perception of his brother, and how is John able to
forgive Harold for hurting him, knowing that he may have done so purposefully?
6. In “The Painted Lady,” why does Willie refuse to give the young woman a second tattoo? Do you agree
with his decision to refuse service to this customer? Why or why not?
7. Discuss the ending of the story “Merciful Like the Father” in terms of its religious or spiritual
connotations. In what ways are the observers of Mother Agnes’s fall and rescue comparable to a line of
people receiving communion, as Davis implies? And why is Mother Agnes’s face described as “the most
beautiful face any of us had ever seen?” (168).
