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A writer remembers the indignities, the poignancies, the cruelties, and the compromises demanded by the deep poverty of her Alabama youth.In her debut volume, Moss says she wishes "to go back in time-to heal old wounds and reclaim my family."...
Like so many others, this story has many tragic facets: poverty, family secrets, abuse, alcoholism, dysfunctional family members, etc. Reaching back into her past, the author shares with sensitivity and insight the details of such horrors of childhood. She also shares with equally sensitive insight, the truth behind the old adage "Be careful what you wish for..."
Discussion Questions:
- In the opening acknowledgments, Moss states "My intention in writing this book was to go back in time - to heal old wounds and reclaim my family." Do you believe she acheived her goals?
- One of the early chapters, "Alcoholic's Purgatory" (pg 43 in my library copy) gives us the first glimpse of Moss's issues with her face. From there on, peppered throughout the book, Moss tells of instances of ridicule, taunting, cruel comments, and of her own determination to one day have the problem "fixed" Discuss the author's ability to "paint a picture" for her readers -- were you able to envision the face she so desparately wanted to lose?
- How did you feel about the whole incident surrounding the Fresh Aire Farms Summer Camp program?
- In an ironic twist, Moss relates of a time when her facial deformity was irrelevant. A time, in fact, when neighborhood children sought ways to spend time with her -- (pg 141 & 142 in my book) (just after moving to Kimberly, Alabama)
"So, mother became the community nurse, protector, and tutor. To these kids, we were unique, special...Nothing could dim their hunger and admiration for what we had. I was in. Accepted."
Do you think Moss realized the irony of this situation at the time it was happening, or do you think she only sees that through the eyes of an adult? (I don't KNOW the answer to this, I can only surmise...just like you but it makes for interesting thought)
you ever found yourself in a similar position? - either to Moss or to that of her neighborhood friends - where the most unlikely individual or family turns out to be the much sought after gem of the neighborhood.
- Page 213 (in my book) the ninth grader Moss makes a list of 8 imporvements she planned for herself... What do you think about that list? About what she was able to do with that list?
- Despite the sometimes despicable situations Moss endured as a child, she also was the beneficiary of "the kindness of strangers" -- one such person being Dr. Reynolds. Share your thougths on some of the incidences of such stranger kindness and the impact it had on Moss.
- At the time of the reconstructive surgery, Moss says "I'll recognize myself. I've always been right here, underneath, like an underground spring." We know by the time we finish the book that there are occasions afterward, that she fears she doesn't know the person in the mirror... that perhaps she was wrong about the connetion of "self" and "appearance" What are your thoughts on this concept in general and on Moss's situation in particular?
Last updated: 04/07/03
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