Yep, it's all there.  And it's 35 posted chapters.

So - are we on for today?

I've read the first 1/3 of the novel.  So I'm ready for our first session, too!

I'll ask the first book club type question:

How does having to keep her past a secret impact Jilly's lifestyle, and the decisions she makes?

The cool thing about discussing plot issues in a book club -- there are NO right/wrong answers.  On the other hand, you wrote her!!  Of course your answer is correct!!  Silly. . .

Jilly seems to open up to her brother more than to anyone else, because he's the only one in her life right now who knows who she really is.  In her interactions with everyone else, she needs to uphold the act.  If she could be herself, she would deal with Caleb's advances much differently, wouldn't she?  It must be hard to lead a double life.

There were a few times I wanted to slap Jilly. Maybe while screaming, "Wake up damnit!" But that means you wrote her well.

I haven't finished reading the whole novel yet, but sometimes I hope that Caleb will bend her over his knee. Unless she secretly like that, in which case I'll have to think of some other punishment......

lol... She doesn't seem like she would enjoy being spanked, but she has the personality type. If I didn't pick on you, you might think I didn'y like you anymore.

I've thought it over, and I think sometimes things are resolve themselves too easily. She finds out her brother is in toruble, dad shows up, it gets resolved. Oops... I'm moving too far ahead aren't I?

Okay. Caleb decided she's hard to get. So he goes in full steam. She says no. He tries again. They're walking in the moonlight. Being as withdrawn as she is, I'd have expected him to jump through a few more hoops.

This is kinda fun!  I have to take a break for a lunch meeting soon.  But I'm going to throw out another question or two before I go.  Anyone who wants to participate in the discussion, just quote the question you want to answer and post that way.  Hopefully this isn't too confusing.  Chime in if you have a better idea on how to work this discussion.

Why do you think that Caleb is drawn to Jilly instead of the the other women swarming around him?

lisa wrote:

We could carry this discussion one step further and say that we all lead double lives in some way shape or form.  People play different roles in their life -- for example act different around co-workers, around friends, and and around family; they reveal character traits or surpress them in different situations.

Throwing out another question: In the novel, what, if any, duality is revealed in Caleb's life?

Not sure if there is a duality in Caleb's life.  He's pretty much what he seems to be.

lisa wrote:

Does the scene where Jilly is spring cleaning have any symbolic meaning?

It could symbolize getting rid of her past life and starting fresh.  What do you think?

I think it's her way of controlling her life, all around.

I've got a question for you Jen,

Why did Jilly feel it was necassary, once she was an adult to hide from her mother. I mean there are PFA's and court orders, if the tabloids found out about the abuse they could have effectivley stopped her mother right then. Was she just so used to hiding, that she felt it was the only way?

jennifer wrote:

lisa wrote:

Is it meaningful that Caleb is a writer of fiction?  Is that why Jilly is breaking her rules to date him?  So she can get lost in his fantasy world?

Actually, she worries about getting involved with a writer.  She knows that getting a writer interested in her story is a BAD idea, but she can't seem to help herself with him.

well, damn, I wouldn't be able to help myself either!

Okay, did I just kill this conversation? Man! I'll be quiet and just lurk- come on Jen, I was enjoying this- what happened?