1. What is it about the Mother/Father relationship that appears to be so difficult? Why does Walton allow Margaret to treat him with such disrespect? Why does Margaret feel the way she does and how do her feelings change over time?

2. Is Margaret justified in being so harsh with Leah? What is her motivation? Why does Walton not intervene?

3. Blake was Leah’s first love. Was she too young and inexperienced? Why couldn’t she let herself get past him? In her mind, does the relationship become more than it ever was?

4. How realistic is it for Leah to believe that college will safeguard her beliefs? Does she change much during this period of her life?

5. Leah sees Vic as her ticket out of Nashville. What was Leah searching for by escaping Nashville? Do her beliefs sustain her at this time?

6. Leah feels she should be happy but melancholy seems to follow her. Her father is gone, she is frustrated and full of self-pity and bitterness; she is in marital hell. Was her affair with Dan inevitable?

7. What about David? He is unforgiving and disowns his mother. Do you think his feelings and actions are justified?

8. After the divorce and over a period of time Leah meets other men but does not have a satisfactory relationship. Jay tells her she is incapable of loving anyone. Do you think that is so? Roberto tells her she must trust in life and dare to take a chance. Why is this such a hard thing for her to do?

9. Do you think Leah’s choice to wander the country is meant as self-punishment? What is she looking for?

10. Life brings all of us some degree of pain and disappointment. Why could Leah not accept this as part of her life adventure?

11. Is Leah a tragic figure or a heroine? How does she embody the inherent duality of people? Can we learn from Leah?

12. What is the nature of the quest for meaning? How does Leah pursue this quest? What is each individual’s role and responsibility toward the search for meaning? Is the search for meaning still relevant?