Book Club Discussion Question 1: Blessings

**Sara Noel** · 04-21-2004, 11:42 AM

1. Blessings is a title that holds a great deal of meaning for this book, as the name of the Blessings' house, but also in the metaphysical sense of the word.. Before reading the book, what did the title Blessings suggest to you? Did it create any expectations or shape the way you reflected on the book as you read? When you finished the book, what meaning did you take away from the title Blessings?

**AmyBoz** · 04-21-2004, 12:17 PM

I thought the title referred to the theme of the book. I assumed I'd be reading a book about someone who was having a hard time and then all of these blessings were bestowed upon them. Of course, you learn right away that it is a family name. As I read, I realized that you could apply the name to Skip being blessed by the presence of Faith, but then when it ended, I was FURIOUS! I realize that it ended realistically, but I was still pretty unhappy with it. Upon reflection, though, I realize that even though he had to give Faith up, he was blessed by her presence, blessed by his "friendship" with Lydia, and was inspired to move on to a better life.

**paelthom** · 04-21-2004, 12:40 PM

I was expecting the book to show how someone life was blessed in some unusual way. Once reading the book, I thought that blessings referred to Faith of course and her impact on everyones life and on the characters realizing what was important in life.

**Sara Noel** · 04-21-2004, 03:41 PM

I knew Blessings referred to the estate. Then I realized it was the family name too. I expected with the book titled Blessings that things would run somehow deeper than they did. I think it set my expectation higher than the book reached.

I of course think Faith was blessed by Skip and Lydia.

**isaacsmommy** · 04-22-2004, 10:01 PM

I expected a more spiritual book based on the title of Blessings. I agree that in conclusion, Skip was blessed to have Faith, Lydia blessed by Skip (and Faith), and so on.

**Michelle** · 04-24-2004, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by smnoel
I knew Blessings referred to the estate. Then I realized it was the family name too. I expected with the book titled Blessings that things would run somehow deeper than they did. I think it set my expectation higher than the book reached.

I of course think Faith was blessed by Skip and Lydia.

If I hadn't read the synopsis on Amazon, I probably wouldn't have got this book. When I *first* saw the title, it sounded like it would be a very spiritual book. I was happy to see that this was not the case as I usually don't read that type of book.

As was mentioned by others, I think Faith was blessed by Skip and Lydia. I also think that they were blessed with her.

And I agree with Sara, I think the author could have dug deeper with the blessings "theme".

**AmyMCGS** · 05-01-2004, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by smnoel
I expected with the book titled Blessings that things would run somehow deeper than they did. I think it set my expectation higher than the book reached.

I of course think Faith was blessed by Skip and Lydia.

My thoughts exactly. With no more depth than it had, their name could have easily been "Fortune" or something similar.... I was expecting more of a spiritual turn.