Readalongs with Karen discussion

Here we can leave our thoughts/discussion questions on finishing Housekeeping

Thank you, Karen, for suggesting this book!

It was a deeply sad book {I need some time to patch my heart} but what a gem for the beginning of the year.

Here link to my short review.

I read Housekeeping awhile ago. I agree with Mela that it is a deeply sad book, but it is so beautifully written. A modern classic for sure. I’ve heard good things about the movie with Christine Lahti but haven’t seen it. Maybe someone else has?

Thanks for your thoughts Mela and Susan. I didn't know a movie had been made of this book.
I finished the book last week and i'm still processing my thoughts on it. I really enjoyed the first half, but felt the second half kind of lost it's way for me. I enjoyed the beautiful writing and descriptions of the land, but felt there was so many unanswered questions.
-All three daughters left home and didn't stay in touch with their mother, yet they seemed very close with each other when younger.Why do you think this happens?
-Why do you think Helen committed suicide ?
-Why do you think Lucille leaves the family home and moves in with her teacher?
- When Sylvie returns, she doesn't seem to want to talk about her past.What are your thoughts on this?
-Do you think Ruthie and Sylvie did the right thing by leaving and running away at the end ?
I felt so sad for Ruthie. I felt she was abandoned by so many people in the story. It broke my heart when her sister Lucille moves out the family home.
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this book and have given it three stars.
Looking forward to reading what others thought too.

I don't have answers to all your questions, Karen. And, like I sometimes don't understand real people, I acknowledge the same about fictional characters. Nonetheless:

--> I can understand that one can separate almost totally from a family. Why without any contact? Perhaps because one is ashamed or doesn't what to admit to sadness or unhappiness. And it can be especially strong need when you love much. Some people prefer caring own burdens inside. [And sometimes it is easier to be silent instead of lying.]

--> Suicide reasons... There are many, potentially. Some of them have nothing to do with real life and circumstances. Helen could be mentally ill. There are many things we don't know yet about mental illness. There are many myths too. E.g. people still believe that someone in deep depression is more inclined to suicide. And it isn't true (simplifying: they are too apathetic). But there is a gap during taking medicament when the passivity state is getting better but the mood still not - and in this gap, we must take care to be with them.

--> I think Lucille was trying to find her own happiness, to fill the loneliness. Perhaps she felt appreciated there.

--> Sylvie - she was the biggest enigma to me.

--> I don't think that running away was the right thing. Nonetheless, it was their (mostly Sylvie's) decision.

--> Yes, Ruthie was a heart-wrenching victim of the sum of the loneliness of each of her family members.

Mela wrote: "I don't have answers to all your questions, Karen. And, like I sometimes don't understand real people, I acknowledge the same about fictional characters. Nonetheless:

--> I can understand that one..."
Hi Mela, thanks for your reply. I don't think Sylvie and Ruthie should of run away either.
I really thought the bonds between Ruthie and Lucille was very strong, especially after losing their mother. Once Lucille hits her teenage years, I think she was concerned about how Sylvie is bringing them up.
Page 82: 'We were very upset, all the same , for reasons too numerous to mention. Clearly our aunt was not a stable person.'
The people in the village of Fingerbone start getting worried about the welfare of Ruthie and Lucille , and eventually the sheriff gets involved.
I felt sad that Lily and Nona left. Maybe things could of been different if they had stayed.

FINISHED: 3.25 stars. Lots of mental health issues in this family.

-All three daughters left home and didn't stay in touch with their mother, yet they seemed very close with each other when younger.Why do you think this happens?

Children tend to band together in households with abuse (neglect). I think the 3 sisters probably only had each other. We didn't find out much about Grandma and I would have liked to know more. Insanity runs in the family.

-Why do you think Helen committed suicide ?

All of the above. Maybe she felt cornered with no other way out.

-Why do you think Lucille leaves the family home and moves in with her teacher?

I think Lucille was starting to compare her family to other families and noticed there was a difference. She couldn't save everyone, so she saved herself.

- When Sylvie returns, she doesn't seem to want to talk about her past.What are your thoughts on this?

Being silent about her past is a conscious choice. I wonder what Sylvie has done (or had done to her) to make her ashamed of herself.

-Do you think Ruthie and Sylvie did the right thing by leaving and running away at the end ?

Running away from the problem, I don't think it was right but in their state of mind(s) it was the only choice they had.

Thanks so much for choosing this book! I knew nothing about it before picking it up but have loved spending time with these characters! I found it sad, haunting, funny and loved how connected I felt to these characters. They had so much tragedy in their lives but had one another to see them through and think that's why they stayed with Sylvie as they could see she needed them as much as they needed her.

Karen Kay wrote: "FINISHED: 3.25 stars. Lots of mental health issues in this family.

-All three daughters left home and didn't stay in touch with their mother, yet they seemed very close with each other when younge..." Hi Karen Kay, thanks so very much for joining in .
I'm happy you enjoyed the book too. I felt Lucille was just looking out for herself towards the end. A very sad book that i will remember for a long time I think.

Karen wrote: "Thanks so much for choosing this book! I knew nothing about it before picking it up but have loved spending time with these characters! I found it sad, haunting, funny and loved how connected I fel..." Hi Karen , thanks for joining in and i'm happy you enjoyed this book too. I've been wanting to read this for a long time and glad I have now. If there are any books you'd love the group to read please let me know thanks : )

I’m so sorry to come in here with an unpopular opinion, but I had to bail on this one. I read Gilead in my book club and would’ve bailed on that one too if it weren’t for that. I’m just not a fan of her writing style. I agree some of her descriptions were beautiful, but the book bored me to tears and I dreaded having to pick it up to read. I just don’t like stream of consciousness writing. I had high hopes too since it seemed like everyone loved this book.

I can’t seem to become involved with this story. I’m barely halfway and I’m ready to put it down. The beginning reminded me of A Prayer for Owen Meany. I nearly put that one down, too.

And A Prayer for Owen Meany was a good read.

Unfortunately I have similar sentiments to the commenters right above me - this book just did not resonate with me. I agree with the points you bring up, Karen, and I thought there were just far too many unanswered questions for me to consider this a good read as a whole. I read through till the end hoping for some explanation e.g. as to why Helen committed suicide (among other things) but there didn't seem to be any effort on the part of the author to provide any actual answers.

I do appreciate beautiful writing and good description (can't fault either in this particular one), but I felt like it was too much at the expense of the plot in this one.

Mariann wrote: "I’m so sorry to come in here with an unpopular opinion, but I had to bail on this one. I read Gilead in my book club and would’ve bailed on that one too if it weren’t for that. I’m just not a fan o..."
Hi Mariann, Stephanie and Adelyne, thanks so much for joining in and sharing your thoughts. I didn't really love the book either and struggled with the second half. On to the next ! :D