The Wythe Trace neighborhood Book Club in Short Pump, VA invited Doug to be a guest author at their August 2024 meeting. They came prepared with lots of observations, insights and questions, and it was an exciting and engaging evening! If you live in Central Virginia and are interested in inviting Doug to be a guest at your Book Club, please contact him:
Discussion Guide
A Life of Dreams
(Caution: Contains spoilers.)
- Around the time of their first wedding anniversary, Percy began to tire of the gambling lifestyle. Why do you think he had come to feel an “embarrassment of riches” where his “gift” was concerned? Do you think that this reaction was justified or misplaced guilt?
- In one of her appearances, Beth picked up a photograph of Gilbert and Francis and made the remark, “I’m not sure I could have handled it if they fell in love with me too.” What does this suggest about her understanding of love and family?
- Beth viewed the concept of guilt as a useless gesture. How powerful a role does guilt play in your life? Do you agree with her assessment? If not, why not?
- The scene which occurs between Beth and Percy at the funeral home is told from two different perspectives. How did their reactions differ from each other? In what ways were they similar?
- When Percy walks in on Beth’s infidelity, their divorce becomes inevitable. Are there sins so severe that they are beyond forgiveness?
- When we are introduced to Beth’s father, Dillon Harrison, the author describes his life as a “series of fixes.” What do you think this phrase means, and is it a fair distillation of his life?
- When Dillon dismisses Beth’s offer of forgiveness he describes the concept of grace as “God’s business. Here on Earth, it’s about justice.” Do you agree with his view? Which would you prefer to flourish in the world—grace or justice?
- In what way does Sam impact the characters and the arc of the story in A Life of Dreams? Who does he change the most, Percy or Beth?
- Jill and Percy have a conversation one morning about the concept of luck. At first Jill says she only believes in “bad luck” to which Percy responds, “I don’t believe in any kind of luck.” How odd did you find this response considering Percy’s old gift? Do you believe in luck?
Doug Dunnevant 