Discussion Questions
Title: The Life We Bury
Author: Allen Eskens
Topics & Questions for Discussion
How did you experience the book?
Were you immediately drawn into the story—or did it take you a while?
Did the book intrigue, amuse, disturb, alienate, irritate, or frighten you? How did you feel about the character of Carl Iverson when he was first introduced?
Which character, if any, did you identify with the most? Why?
What would you say are Joe's strongest character traits?
If you could change the character of Joe Talbert, what would you change?
Would you say that the story is plot driven or character driven? In other words, do events unfold quickly or is more time spent developing characters' inner lives? Does it make a difference to your enjoyment?
How does guilt affect or influence the various characters?
What aspects of the novel did the author draw from to come up with the title for The Life We Bury?
Was there a particular scene that resonated with you or stayed with you after you finished the novel?
How do Joe’s relationships with his mother and brother demonstrate the nature of his character?
How is the harsh Minnesota winter weather a character in the story?
Where do you think Joe, Lila, and Jeremy will be in ten years?
The Life We Bury ♦ ISBN 9781616149987 ♦ $15.95 ♦ Trade Paperback ♦ $9.99 ebook ♦ www.seventhstreetbooks.com
Author: Allen Eskens
Topics & Questions for Discussion
How did you experience the book?
Were you immediately drawn into the story—or did it take you a while?
Did the book intrigue, amuse, disturb, alienate, irritate, or frighten you? How did you feel about the character of Carl Iverson when he was first introduced?
Which character, if any, did you identify with the most? Why?
What would you say are Joe's strongest character traits?
If you could change the character of Joe Talbert, what would you change?
Would you say that the story is plot driven or character driven? In other words, do events unfold quickly or is more time spent developing characters' inner lives? Does it make a difference to your enjoyment?
How does guilt affect or influence the various characters?
What aspects of the novel did the author draw from to come up with the title for The Life We Bury?
Was there a particular scene that resonated with you or stayed with you after you finished the novel?
How do Joe’s relationships with his mother and brother demonstrate the nature of his character?
How is the harsh Minnesota winter weather a character in the story?
Where do you think Joe, Lila, and Jeremy will be in ten years?
The Life We Bury ♦ ISBN 9781616149987 ♦ $15.95 ♦ Trade Paperback ♦ $9.99 ebook ♦ www.seventhstreetbooks.com