Story Circle Network
Austin Chapter
Reader's Guide

April 1999
Deep Water Passage

Deep Water Passage
by Ann Linnea

  1. What is the significance of the book's title? Ann uses the symbolism of water/rebirth a lot in this book. Cite other references.

  2. Although Ann travels with a man (Paul Treuer), it is her close, strong female friends on whom she relies. She carries along the ashes (in a hand-made drawstring bag) of Betty, who had recently died; Betty also came to Ann in a dream as her guardian angel. Ann telephones and writes to Christina, her friend and business partner, several times during the trip. Do you think that Ann could have completed her journey without her woman friends' support? In what ways do her friends support her? Cite references.

  3. Native American spiritual beliefs play a big part in Ann's life: she feels a strong bond to (and reverance for) the earth, the lake, "mother nature" ("She-Who-..."). How does this help, teach, & affect Ann on her journey?

  4. What do you think about her relationships w/ the men in her life (her husband David Schimpf, her kayaking partner Paul)? How do these relationships change during the trip?

  5. What forces threatens to keep Ann from completing her journey? Cite references.

  6. We have read several other books dealing with a woman's "mid-life crisis": Alice Koller's Unknown Woman, Natalie Goldberg's Long, Quiet Highway. In what ways is this book different? the same? Have you ever felt a similar need to get away, to break out of your routine, to grow, to strike out on your own, to prove yourself, to have an adventure? Were you challenged/questioned/doubted by well-meaning friends/family? Or by your own self-doubts? What kept you on track, motivated to continue?

  7. What do you think about Ann's decision re: divorce and its effects on her two children? Do you feel it was well thought out? Do you think it was the best decision for her? for the children?

  8. Ann's writing is very honest; she shares some very personal, intimate thoughts with us (see p.167 re: her husband; p.152 re: her sexual feelings). What do you think about this? Do you feel that you really KNOW Ann at the end of the book? Compare her honesty to that of the writers of other books we've read.

  9. Chapter 11, "Spirit Song", begins with this headnote (p.165):
    The instruments of our bodies, when fully tuned and aligned, move with a grace and rhythm that is holy.
    In that holiness we are capable of our greatest actions.
    In those actions our lives become Spirit Song.
    My favorite songwriter said something similar:
    I am a song
    I live to be sung
    I sing it with all my heart
    --John Denver
    Ann talks about "recapturing the song" (p.167) and the importance of mindfulness (p.168). Do you think that Ann recaptured her song? Explain.