Dead and Well-Read Society discussion

Hello Everyone!

Here's some discussion questions for your progress thus far!

1.)How did you experience the book? Were you engaged immediately, or did it take you a while to
"get into it"?
2.) In regards to the characters--How has the past shaped their lives?
3.) Do they remind you of people you know?
4.) Do you admire or disapprove of them?
5.)Is this a plot-driven book—a fast-paced page-turner?

Take your time. Marinate on these questions. Be sure to engage with other readers!

I read this book last year. I liked it but didn’t love it. It didn’t take me too long to get into it but I wasn’t clear what was going on with the “possessed” character which I know you’re not really supposed to know.

I did think it was creepy in spots and the ending was tragic. I may need to refresh myself with it before commenting further.

I’m just over half way through the book! I was engaged immediately when I started reading.

SPOILERS

I’ve only really been able to compare “Merry” as a character from the past and how it’s shaped her life. She looked up to her sister Marjorie. I enjoyed reading about their imaginative stories they made up in Merry’s Richard Scarry books. (I remember watching The Busy World of Richard Scarry and could really connect to this.) As for Merrys past shaping her life now, while Merry is being interviewed by the author Rachel, Rachel stumbles on Merrys collection of books and movies on possessions. It’s as if Merry has become obsessed since Marjorie’s possession.

The characters don’t really remind me of any people I know.

I admire Mrs. Barrett for her strength and her resistance to her religious husband although she eventually gives in. I also admire Marjorie for wanting to help her family by “pretending” to be possessed to have the TV show to help the family’s income. And I disapprove of what Marjorie is doing because she shouldn’t be faking something serious like a possession, especially if there really is something else going on with her. I disapprove of Mr. Barrett for not finding a job to support his family and spending his time praying.

So far it is a very good book and is easy to read, a page turner for sure!

I’m still not sure if I’m going to read this one or not since everyone is far along. I just got done for the semester so not totally sure if I’ll buy the ebook. I may just wait for the next read. Sorry guys!

I am castaway late into this discussion but I wanted to put my two cents in. this book was insane. You come out of it still not sure if this family is "victim" of possession or of mental illness. You also start thinking whether a person is innately evil or just "misunderstood"... I loved it! I do see myself reflected with Merry. I have an older sister and I remember being 8 and wanting her to think I was cool because she was a teenager and she was just spook amazing. I also feel kinda bad about their parents. I don't think it is easy to raise kids but I do think it is extremely hard when the person you are doing it with has different "beliefs". I know this isn't all it takes for a relationship to work but I do think it has a large amount of importance. I do not think Merry's dad was "sick". I think he was also trying to explain what was going on with Meredith and sometimes people use religion to explain things they can't understand. I also think they were taken advantage of by the Father and the shop's crew. everyone wanted to make a buck instead of making sure that the family was ok. I did love the book and will read another one from the same author in a heartbeat!