What’s all the squawking about? It’s “BIRD.”
Twenty-five questions to enhance your book club’s discussion.
- Ellen was dealing with her own set of struggles when she left for Brunswick. There were cracks in Ellen’s family unit. What might be some of the reasons for that?
- Jenny exhibits flashes of anger toward Ellen throughout the story, even before “that night.” What is the source of Jenny’s anger and why does Ellen still seem to want to be with her sister?
- Madeline Caldwell was a mysterious lady in her own town of Brunswick. How was she able to keep her secrets so well from members of her community?
- What was it about Ellen that helped her cope with the adversity that she herself endured as a child?
- In Savannah, Ellen receives two phone calls from Jenny. She ignores the first, but attempts to answer the second. How do you think that decision impacted Ellen?
- Though the story crossed several settings, it was predominately in two cultural divides, Champaign, IL and Brunswick, Georgia. How did those two regions impact the story?
- How did Charlie’s death and Jack’s illness impact the family?
- Throughout the story, Ellen feels guilty for leaving her husband who might be facing cancer. Was she being selfish and why do you think she was so adamant about going this alone, except for taking her dog Lilly along?
- Was Dorothy Gallagher a cruel women, why or why not?
- Was Ellen justified in her anger for Madeline after reading the letter? Why or why not?
- Was the presence of “Bird” throughout the story real? Discuss.
- Madeline’s faith was extremely important to her. Do you think she believed she’d be received in heaven? Why or why not?
- What character did you find most interesting and why?
- Hunter McGaffey appeared for the most part to be fairly amicable with Ellen. What do you think he was “really thinking” and what were some of the signs along the way that support your thoughts?
- Would you have kept the estate? Why or why not?
- What do you think Ellen will eventually do with the estate?
- Why was Ellen drawn to Judy Cameron, the Brunswick attorney?
- Jimmy Carmichael, Madeline’s attorney new the entire time that there was more to Madeline’s story. How do you think he felt watching Ellen desperately search for answers?
- In chapter twenty-two, Dorothy Gallagher screams at Ellen to leave her yard. Why do you think Dorothy was showing such malevolence toward Ellen?
- In Madeline’s letter to Ellen, she states that she told her husband, the Judge, everything. How do you think Madeline’s past affected their life together and why would a man, especially of his profession, keep her secret?
- Madeline made no attempt to help Jenny after the assault besides cleaning her up and sending her home alone? What kind of a person would do that to a child?
- What are some of the foreshadowing events that move the reader closer to the assault?
- When did you begin to suspect Henry Jameson was an evil guy and why does Jenny appear to have insight into the dangers early on?
- Was there a hero in “Bird?” Why or why not?
- What question would you most like to ask the author?
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