Leanne Lieberman
BOOK CLUBS
I love to do book clubs. If you’re not in the Kingston area, I’d be happy to do a book club visit on Skype. Please email me to set up a time leahdevorah@hotmail.com here is some sample book club questions to get you going.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GRAVITY
Who was the most interesting character in Gravity? Why?
Would this book be different if it was set in a different religion?
Were you disappointed the relationship between Ellie and Lindsay didn't work out?
How realistic was the rabbi's visit to the house? (My father claims no rabbi would ever un-invite anyone from their congregation. I told him that I specifically made it vague, that it's Abba that suggests Ima pray somewhere else.)
Did you think the Bubbie was disrespectful to her daughter and her religion and actively subversive, or do you think she was just trying to support her granddaughters? (I know one woman who has two sons, one a very orthodox Jew and the other gay who is not religious. She tries to be supportive of both her sons and their families and she was outraged by the Bubbie. She thought she was really disrespectful.)
Do you think Neshama will ever return to the family fold?
Do you think the Gold family is hopelessly dysfunctional or is there possibility for harmony?
What do you think will happen when Ellie eventually comes out to her family? (Let me tell you, I know, and it's not pretty.)
Although I am Jewish I am not from an orthodox background and I'm not gay. Do you think its right for a straight woman to represent gay people, or am I "appropriating the voice" of a group of people who have faced discrimination for centuries? (One gay woman's response to this question was, "Um, men have been writing about women for generations.")
I've read some female orthodox Jewish theorists that claim Orthodox Judaism is "post feminist." By this they mean that orthodoxy celebrates women for their roles as mothers and wives, by celebrating their monthly, yearly and life cycles, and doesn't view them as sexual objects. This isn't to say that orthodox women don't work outside the home or have interesting careers, but by dressing modestly and not engaging in the dating "meat market" it protects women and values them. These theorists call Orthodox Judaism "post feminist" because they believe feminism allows for male irresponsibility. What do you think? Can you see any value in this? (Personally, I consider myself a feminist and I feel valued as a mother, wife, teacher and writer. However, I can totally see how easily it would not to have this balance in your life- (marital infidelity, lack of maternity leave, inability to work and mother part-time) and how attractive the orthodox world with its spiritual dimensions could be.
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR THE BOOK OF TREES
(Yet to come)
Are you a teacher? I’d be happy to talk to your class about my books or the writing process on Skype. Please email me to set up a time.
