Set Free (25 page)

Over the years, I have had the privilege to be invited to a great many book club meetings. I quickly learned that no two are alike, varying in size, organization, membership, mandate, programing, and desired author interaction. Discussions have ranged from serious, light-hearted and spirited, to the esoteric and philosophical. In one case the group never once mentioned my book, but the wine was excellent. I enjoyed every experience.

In appreciation, I’ve prepared this short list of questions as a guideline when discussing
Set Free
. Some of the questions contain details which lead me to issue this
SPOILER ALERT
. Only read further if you’ve read the book or don’t mind a few spoilers.

Let’s begin with the burning question on everyone’s mind when they read the last page of
Set Free
:

1. Is Mikki Wills alive or dead? Why do you think so?
   

1. Set Free
   is about being physically imprisoned and the desire for freedom. Beneath the surface,
   Set Free
   is also about the many ways people can be imprisoned—physically, mentally, spiritually—the many ways they seek freedom, and the many kinds of freedom. In what ways have the three main characters (Jaspar, Jenn, Katie) been imprisoned? What costs were paid for their freedom? Were the costs too high?
   

1. Have you, or has anyone you know, experienced a type of imprisonment? How was freedom achieved? Was it worth it?
   

1. Jaspar created an elaborate lie about what happened to him after he was abandoned in the Atlas Mountains. Why did he do this? Was he successful? Were there other possible reasons for him to do what he did?
   

1. Which is the more powerful emotion: grief or guilt? Why? Would you prefer to feel grief or guilt?
   

1. What are the lies told by the three main characters?
   

1. Did the main characters lie for the same reason? How are their lies similar or different? Are some of their lies more obvious than others? Are some of their lies more acceptable than others? Are some of their lies more successful than others?
   

1. Which lie do you relate to (if any)?
   

1. Is lying ever acceptable? If so, under what circumstances?
   

1. Being kidnapped and held for ransom is nearly unimaginable, but if you could put yourself in Jaspar’s place, how would you feel and what would you have done? How is the situation influenced by his mental state before being kidnapped?
   

1. In times of extreme mental stress, what best describes your go-to first reaction? (For example: hope, despair, disillusionment, anger, fatigue, acceptance, accusation)
   

1. What are typical responses to being caught in a lie? Did the main characters react to being caught in the same way? (For example: acceptance, denial, escalation, apologetic). Were any lies left un-revealed?
   

1. Faced with certain death, how would you react?
   

1. As a reader, did you find your sympathy (or lack of sympathy) for each character shift throughout the book? When did your feelings change?
   

1. Were there parts of the story where you secretly rooted for Katie Edwards to be successful even though you’d begun to suspect her motives?
   

1. Can you rationalize any part of Katie’s actions? If so, at what point did she cross the line into unacceptable behavior?
   

1. How did Jaspar and Jenn’s marriage survive? At what point was their relationship most vulnerable? At what point was their relationship the strongest?
   

1. What methods of revenge are used by each of the main characters? Were they ultimately successful?
   

1. Is seeking revenge ever a good thing?
   

1. Jaspar Wills is the author of four books: “
   How to Travel with a Two Year Old and Survive
   ”, “
   In the Middle
   ”, “
   Set Free
   ” and “
   Truth Be Told
   ”. Which of these books (if any) would you read and why?