BKMT READING GUIDES



 

Love and Other Natural Disasters
by Holly Shumas

Published: 2009-01-08
Paperback : 352 pages
3 members reading this now
0 club reading this now
0 members have read this book
Eve is eight months pregnant and in the middle of a Thanksgiving celebration when she discovers that her husband, Jonathan, has developed an emotional affair with another woman over the past year. What Jon has done seems so terrifyingly out of character that Eve finds herself questioning her entire ...
No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

Eve is eight months pregnant and in the middle of a Thanksgiving celebration when she discovers that her husband, Jonathan, has developed an emotional affair with another woman over the past year. What Jon has done seems so terrifyingly out of character that Eve finds herself questioning her entire world.

Editorial Review

 No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

 Some years, I gaze around the Thanksgiving table and I feel almost painfully grateful for my own bounty, for the abundance that is my life, for everything that brought me to this moment, with these people, inside this light. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

 1) Which is a greater betrayal, a physical or an emotional affair? Or are they equal? Did your opinion flip back and forth during the book, or did it stay consistent throughout?

2) Eve is a complicated character. When did you most identify with her and/or feel most sympathetic? Were there times when you disliked her and/or understood Jon better?

3) Eve ultimately realizes she's responsible for behavior that weakened her marriage and made it more susceptible to an affair. Do you agree that when one partner has an affair, the other should look at his/her own role?

4) How are the issues in this book reflective of our changing times (cyber affairs, divorce, notions about sexual fulfillment, etc.)?

5) The book ends with a hopeful ambiguity. What do you think the future holds for Jonathon and Eve?

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

 As a marriage and family therapist, the issue of emotional intimacy is close to my heart. I'm convinced that one of the toughest things in the world is remaining connected to another person for the long haul. When I set out to write my second novel, Love and Other Natural Disasters, I knew I wanted to explore that idea. And while I'd seen plenty of novels on sexual affairs, I hadn't seen any on emotional infidelity so I thought I'd be a good person to write one.

I hope that people who've experienced an emotional affair will see themselves in Eve and Jonathon and that it will bring them some measure of comfort, a sense of being understood. And for all readers, including those who haven't been touched by infidelity: I'd hope they would still see themselves in Eve and Jonathon, and take stock of their own relationships. I wrote imperfect characters, dealing with a difficult situation, which means there's a lot of room for strong opinions and discussion. I'd love to be a part of those discussions in person or by call-in. Thank you for reading!

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews
Overall rating:
 
There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
Forgot your login/password?
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search
FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...