Austin Chapter
Reader's Guide

September 2006

Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
Anne Lamott

1. There are several humorous phrases in Lamott's style exemplified in the 1st essay, "Ham of God", including the title itself. Pick out a couple you particularly enjoyed.

2. Do you think her humorous approach to a serious subject is effective or does it detract from her message?

3. Anne Lamott always seems to blame herself for things that go wrong—especially in her relationship with her son. But in the "sam's dad" essay she mentions blaming others as her 1st response. Do you see a real contradiction here?

4. Did you find her treatment of her mother's ashes reasonable or too bizarre?

5. Lamott writes very subjectively; she lets it "all hang out." Do you find this too disturbing or is it a good device for getting her point across?

6. I found her devotion to Mary a little surprising but rather endearing. How did it affect you?

7. I know there's a Republican (or 2 or more) in our group. Did her "Bush bashing" bother you? (X—tra credit!) Would it keep you from reading her other books?

8. She is quite open about her often ambivalent feelings about her son's behavior. Her reference to the "myth of maternal bliss" rang a bell for me. What are your feelings/comments on this?

9. Lamott left Chapter 13 "untitled." What might have been her reason? Can you think of an appropriate title?

10. In the last paragraph "scattering the present" she tells of a boy scattering pebbles that seem to shine (after her mother's ashes were flung). What do you think she means in this analogy?

The Story Circle Network is a national not-for-profit membership organization made up of women who want to explore their lives and their souls by exploring their personal stories. If you would like to learn more about the Network and its activities, please sign up for our free email newsletters!

To join the Story Circle Network eLetter mailing list, click here.