Hannah Coulter

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the nonlinear structure and memoir-like quality of the novel affect your reading experience?

2. What aspect of Berry’s novel resonated most strongly with you? What characters stood out as particularly compelling?

3. Have you read any other books in the Port William series, such as Jayber Crow? If so, what was your experience of encountering characters from other parts of the series in Hannah’s story?

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

1. How did the depiction of Port William prompt you to reflect on your sense of place and belonging in your community?

2. Did the novel challenge or affirm your definition of what it means to live a meaningful life?

3. Considering what Hannah learns about loving without expectations, have you ever had to redefine your understanding of love and acceptance?

4. Hannah’s memories of Virgil allow her to keep his legacy alive. How has memory helped you grieve the loss of a loved one?

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

1. Berry’s novel positions Port William as a microcosm of a broader cultural and economic shift from rural, agrarian communities to the industrialization and expansion of modernity. What does Hannah’s story suggest are the consequences of that shift?

2. How do the values of the Port William “membership” contrast with contemporary American individualism? 

3. How does the story explore the tension between the pursuit of higher education as a path to opportunity and the wisdom and practical knowledge learned through farming?

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

1. Analyze the use of Hannah’s first-person narration and the sometimes meandering form of the story framed from Hannah’s memories.

2. Hannah’s Grandmam represents a formative early presence in her life. How does Berry connect the skills, daily structures, and values Hannah learned from Grandmam to the legacy Hannah works to pass on to her own children?

3. How does Port William function as both a physical setting and a symbolic presence in the narrative?

4. Trace the different ways Hannah experiences grief over her life. How does Berry present grief as a unique, individualized experience?

5. Examine the impact of World War II on the community and the individuals. How does Berry connect this historical backdrop to the novel’s central themes?

6. What symbolism do the seasons hold for the membership community in Port William? How does this symbolism connect to the novel’s exploration of Rural Life and Agrarian Values?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could create a memory quilt made up of key moments from Hannah’s life, which “patches” or scenes would you include and why?

2. Create a character map, web, or tree of the Port William membership that shows how each character is related to the others.

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