Austin Chapter
Reader's Guide

February 2007

Limbo: A Memoir
A. Manette Ansay

1. The events in this memoir go back and forth in time. Why do you suppose Ann sequenced the events as she did?

2. Ann describes her community in Wisconsin as "where the roads meet with right angles and cause and effect were visible for miles". This could be a metaphor for what kind of thinking? What are its implications?

3. How did Ann's undiagnosed disease with its exposed limitations cause her to grow away from her community's world view?

4. What was the cultural attitude concerning illness in Ann's home town? Why do you think her father told her for so many years not to write about his youthful illness? Why was she able to write her own story only after her father was more comfortable with his story?

5. Ann's musical career was cut short by her physical symptoms? What strengths and learnings did she transfer from her study of music to a writing career?

6. Ann reached out to her grandmother Ansay towards the end of the memoir. What do you think caused her attitude to soften? What secret do you suppose grandfather Ansay kept threatening to expose?

7. What feelings did you have while reading this book? Are you able to identify with any aspects of Ann's life? Has your life ever been in limbo?

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