Guest post by Regina Buttner
Hello Readers!
Absolution is a story of dark secrets, blind love, and unexpected betrayal. Much of the action takes place in the city of Seattle at the height of the 1990s dot-com boom, a heady era when e-commerce was transforming the retail world, and tech workers were becoming overnight millionaires as their internet startups went public. McMansions and flashy sports cars were taking over the suburbs.
The backdrop for all that frenzy and glitz was a formerly low-key city surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Puget Sound and two mountain ranges. When hosting your book club event, take your guests on a retro trip to the “real” Seattle of the nineties. It’s an unpretentious place where outdoorsy folks like to dress practically without regard for designer labels, so go ahead and throw on your old jeans and that comfy flannel shirt from the back of your closet. Beat-up sneakers are fine, hiking boots are even better. Play some smooth jazz by Seattle native Kenny G, or a little Pearl Jam if you’re wanting something edgier. Put on a pot of Starbucks House Blend or crack open a few cold bottles of beer from the Redhook craft brewery. Seattle’s Pike Place Market is famous for its seafood, so be sure to treat your guests to a luscious platter of shrimp cocktail and some delicious smoked salmon.
The vibe is Seattle-style mellow and congenial, in perfect contrast to the emotional turmoil that takes place in the novel you’re about to discuss! Here are some questions to get you rolling:
- Do you think Jeanie made the right decision in trying to keep her marriage together for so long? If you were in her place, what would you have done?
- Jeanie reacts to the assault by her professor with feelings of shame and guilt that prompt her to keep the experience a secret. How have societal attitudes changed since the 1990s, particularly in light of the MeToo movement and recent prosecutions of serial offenders?
- Jeanie was trained since childhood to pursue a life as a devoted wife and mother, but her commitment to her marriage eventually slams up against the harsh reality of her dysfunctional relationship with Greg. What were the turning points for her?
- How has your own family of origin affected your romantic or marital relationships as an adult? Do you agree that the values and behaviors we learn in our family of origin can be hard to change once we reach adulthood? Why or why not?
- Jeanie laments that she was “born between generations” and feels conflicted about pursuing a career versus staying home to care for her children—a dispute sometimes referred to as the “mommy wars.” Have you had personal experience with this? How has the debate changed since your own mother’s era?
- Jeanie’s best friend Carla is more outgoing and displays more self-confidence than Jeanie often does. Which character do you identify with more?
- How was Carla instrumental in Jeanie’s decision to leave Greg? Could she have done more to help her friend?
- What path do you think Jeanie will travel now that she has returned to Adams Mills? If she enters into a new relationship, do you think it will be different from her marriage to Greg, or will she fall into the same old patterns?
Enjoy your book club event, and thanks for reading!
Regina is a registered nurse-turned-writer. She’s originally from Upstate New York where she enjoyed hiking in the Adirondack Mountains with her bouncy golden retriever and exploring the Finger Lakes wine country. She recently escaped the cold and gray northern winters and transplanted herself to sunny Southwest Florida where she loves kayaking among the mangroves and exploring the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine State.
You’re invited to the
Bookish Road Trip Facebook group.
