That Forgetful Shore (46 page)

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Midway through the novel, Kit reflects that she and Trif are equal in every way, except in social class. Is she right in believing that all the differences in their lives are due to class differences, or are there other factors that come into play?

2. What do you think of Triffie and Jacob John's relationship? Did you find the way it developed believable? Satisfying?

3. In the prologue of the novel, Triffie tells the minister that her twin sister died at birth, then thinks, “Tryphena and Tryphosa; Peony and Posy. It explains everything. Half of a whole, a piece torn away.” What do you think she means by this?

4. What did you think about Joe Bishop's character and his role in the story? Do you think Triffie should have exposed his wrongdoing once she knew about it, or did she handle things in the best way possible?

5. Who was your favourite character in the novel? Why?

6. Who was your least favourite character? Why?

7. For much of the novel, Triffie resents Kit for having the life that she, Triffie, wanted. Do you think she overcomes this resentment? If so, why and how?

8. How did you feel about the ending of the novel? Would you consider it a happy ending? Was it what you expected?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful not only to all those who helped and supported me while writing this book, but to the many scholars and writers whose research enabled me to depict history as accurately as possible. The howling errors and anachronisms that remain are, of course, entirely my own. In addition to numerous authors of published works I would like to thank several individuals for taking the time to answer my questions: Dr. Trudi Johnson, Dr. Garfield Fizzard, Dr. Elizabeth Murphy, and Linda White, all of Memorial University; Jennifer Lambert of Dalhousie University, and Maura Hanrahan.

The helpful staff of several vital institutions deserve gratitude: this book would have been far more difficult to write without the people at the Centre for Newfoundland Studies at Memorial University, the Newfoundland Collection at the A.C. Hunter Public Library, the Provincial Archives, the Road to Yesterday Museum in Bay Roberts, Starbucks on Kenmount Road (the customer with the raspberry mochas thanks you), and, of course, the modern-day Maggie Campbell for the generous use of her name.

A book is only half-finished when it leaves the writer's hands; without a great publisher it rarely makes it into the hands of readers. Thanks to the wonderful team at Breakwater Books who believed in this book from the earliest stages, sometimes even more than I did. Particular thanks are due to my sharp-eyed editor, Marnie Parsons.

I am grateful as always to the Strident Women for support and encouragement and especially to Jennifer Morgan and Tina Chaulk for reading and critiquing the manuscript. Most of all, thanks to my long-suffering family: my parents, Don and Joan Morgan, always my best proofreaders and historical fact-checkers, and to Jason, Chris and Emma for putting up with me when I'm in the middle of writing a book – and at all other times.

TRUDY J. MORGAN-COLE is a writer and teacher. Her previous works of historical fiction include
By the Rivers of Brooklyn
,
The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson
,
Deborah and Barak
, and
Esther: A Story of Courage
.
By the Rivers of Brooklyn
was a finalist for the Best Atlantic Published Book Award 2010 and the Silver Medal Winner of the Ippy for Best Regional Fiction 2010. Trudy lives in St. John's with her husband and two children, and teaches English, writing, and social studies to adult learners.