Buckeye

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your overall impressions of the book’s depictions of marriage and family? Did the author’s arguments about the complexities of marriage ring true for you? Why or why not?

2. Which of the characters did you find the most relatable, and why?

3. This book has been compared to Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio, as well as other examples of the “great American novel” that revisit the same set of characters over the course of a lifetime. Does Buckeye remind you of other similar novels that you’ve read? Which ones, and why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. In the novel, Margaret makes the choice to leave her family. What do you think motivates her to do so, and how did her decision resonate with you?

2. Buckeye delves into the wartime experiences of its characters. Do you have any experience with war, either firsthand or through loved ones? How do their experiences compare to those of these characters?

3. Discuss the novel’s portrayal of the long-lasting effects of secrets. In particular, pay attention to Felix’s choice to keep the secret of Tom’s parentage for so long. Did you agree or disagree with his rationale? Why?

4. Discuss the novel’s depiction of the changing nature of life in the 20th-century United States. How does the narrative use the historical context of war to explore these changes? Does its portrayal resonate with your own experience? Why or why not?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Public perception of the Vietnam War has changed over time. How does this novel comment on the Vietnam War? What does its representation add to contemporary representations of the war?

2. There are a few moments of racism and prejudice in this book. How do they help the author to depict the changing nature of life in the 20th-century US? How might the novel’s depiction of immigration speak to the present moment in the US?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Although Felix is not one of the main characters in the novel, the narrative explores several important concepts through his characterization. What are his defining characteristics, and how would you describe his narrative arc and role in the novel?

2. What is the role of setting in the novel? What does Bonhomie represent, and how does it contribute to both the narrative arc and key themes of the novel?

3. Discuss the novel’s depiction of the role of women in marriage and family. How does the narrative engage with or subvert conventional gender roles of the time? Is Margaret a feminist character? Why or why not?

4. Discuss the significance of Becky’s ability to speak to the dead. What purpose does this ability serve in the novel? How does it contribute to the themes of the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. In a film adaptation of this book, who would you cast in the lead roles? Are there any historic events that you would add to the narrative or events that you would remove or change? Explain your choices.

2. Considering the many eras that the novel encompasses, create a playlist for this book. Which hits of the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s would you include, and why?