Gradle Bird
Page 27
Shannon “Shay-Dawg” House Keegan, water creature and pen pal extraordinaire, thank you for urging me to take a writing class in the first place. Now, look what you started. You should be ashamed of yourself!
My teachers. Larry Carlson, who forced me to cut my teeth on playwriting and taught me the only three words required in this venture: MAKE ME CARE. JJ Flowers, my earliest adopter and most devoted supporter. Thank you for bringing me into your house and taking me under your safe and magical wing. And the late Jack Wolf, the first to ever ask for my autograph. Breakfast is not the same without you.
Readers and fellow writers who offered critical feedback and constant encouragement. Allison Gregory, Frances Pearce, Lee Cox, Rey Rivera, Billy Bliss, and Jacqueline Gum. Thank you for rooting me on.
Jeff Kleinman, thank your generous investment, recognizing early promise, and urging me to dig deeper. I am a better writer because of you.
Shari “The Shark” Stauch, marketing Einstein, and epitome of cool. While you don’t consider yourself a literary agent, I consider you mine. Thank you for finding this book a home and acting on my behalf. Thank you for kicking my ass into shape and believing in my work as much as I do. The hanging baskets of coral geraniums are dedicated to you. Any aspiring writer should subscribe to this workhorse of a woman at www.writerswin.com. She is a genuine author activist.
The cast and crew at Köehler Books. John Köehler, my devout, painfully handsome and wicked-smart publisher, who recognized an early flaw, which resulted in a life-giving rewrite. Thank you for your patience, taking the chance, and reinforcing to me the definition of faith. Joe Coccaro, my banjo-picking editor. Thank you for your tender hand and finding the notes that didn’t ring true. Kellie Emery, thank you for inciting the visual narrative in the creepy-cool cover design and adding all of the special touches in the layout. You win the award for nailing the ‘something’s not quite right’ look. It is all so beautiful.
Randi Sachs, my copy editor. Thank you for your discerning eye, pointing out my bad habits, and teaching this ignorant Southerner a thing or ten about grammar.
My hometown of Metter, Georgia, and all of the colorful characters rooted there. You are my gold. I may never write of another place.
My brother, the Prince of Darkness, Hec Cromartie, who swears my work is the most original he’s ever read. Thank you for reliving our childhood with me. Skeet Trapnell, a.k.a. Dad G., thank you for being a cheerleader and finding the perfect titles. My Mema, Rubye Trapnell Becker, and Daddy, Hugh Esten Cromartie Jr., the best storytellers in all of the South. Thank you for the gift.
T.C. and Robert Esten Sasser, my two little critters and most creative endeavors, thank you for finding me in the attic and showing me daily the power of imagination.
Thomas Choe Sasser, my husband, collaborator in life, and harshest critic, who staged an exodus of Siamese fighting fish at the local Wal-Mart to aid in research. Thank you for your endurance, driving me toward the essence, and giving me the perfect end. You are poetry.
J.C. Sasser invites you to use these questions as a guide to discussions in your book discussion groups and book clubs. Should you wish to connect with the author for a personal or Skype appearance with your club, email jana@jcsasserbooks.com or visit www.JCSasserBooks.com.
1.
Gradle is old enough to run away from her life and strike out on her own. Why do you think she chooses to stay with her grandfather Leonard?
2.
In what ways does Gradle compensate for the lack of love from her grandfather? Why is male attention so important in a teenage girl’s life? How would you describe Gradle’s father complex? How is this complex positive or negative and what are the consequences of each?
3.
Why do you think Gradle is so drawn to Delvis Miles?
4.
In what ways is Gradle naïve? In what ways is she wise? In what ways is Delvis naïve? In what way is he wise?
5.
How do you think Gradle changed over the course of the novel? Which character do you think played the most important role in her self-discovery?
6.
Did your opinions about Delvis change over the course of the story? If not, why? If one were to attempt to clinically diagnose Delvis, what would his diagnosis be?
7.
How does the setting compliment the themes of the novel?
8.
What role does Christianity play in Gradle Bird?
9.
Guilt and forgiveness are prevalent themes; how do each of the main characters deal with guilt? How has their handling of guilt impacted their lives and those around them?
10.
How do each of the characters attempt to forgive themselves? Are any of these attempts successful? Which is more powerful and why: forgiving yourself or having others forgive you?
11.
All of the main characters in Gradle Bird are tragic. Which character do you think is the most tragic and why?
12.
Do you believe Annalee is real or a figment of both Leonard’s and Delvis’s imagination? Why are they the only two characters who see her?
13.
Gradle Bird explores facets of human cruelty. How would you explain human cruelty? Why do you think Delvis Miles is a target? Why do you think Sonny Joe is an aggressor of cruelty? Why do you think Ceif entertains these cruel acts alongside Sonny Joe? In the beginning, why do you think Gradle entertains these cruel acts?
14.
Why in the beginning do you think Gradle is attracted to Sonny Joe? What makes him both attractive and unattractive? Young girls are often attracted to bad boys: is the attraction biological or psychological, or a combination of both?
15.
Three of the characters in Gradle Bird have committed unspeakable crimes. Do you consider them criminals?
16.
Do you think Delvis should be prosecuted for his crime? If so, why? If not, why? Do you consider Delvis’s act an accident or crime?
17.
Do you believe Sonny Joe was an accessory to Delvis’s crime? If so, why? If not, why? If so, do you think Sonny Joe should be punished? If so, why? If not, why?
18.
What do you think Sonny Joe’s future holds? Do you believe Ceif’s hopes for Sonny Joe’s salvation come to fruition?
19.
What do you think happens to Delvis?
20.
What do you think Gradle’s and Leonard’s future holds?
For upcoming book events with J.C. Sasser,
www.JCSasserBooks.com