Story Circle Network
Drinking the Rain
by Alix Kates Shulman
Study Questions

  1. The book is divided into three sections. What is the focus of each section? How are they different? Shulman didn't have to organize her material in this way--why do you think she chose to do so? What did she gain from it?

  2. What period in Shulman's life (in years) is covered by the book? What period is coverd in each of the sections (including the flashbacks)?

  3. Shulman's marriage comes apart during the period of this book. Trace its breakup over the years. How is the hacker story related to the breakup of the marriage?

  4. Who is Margaret and what role does she play in the book? What other female characters appear here?

  5. Shulman has been a feminist activist all her life. What effect does her time on the nubble have on that aspect of her experience? How is this reflected in her adoption of James Baldwin's paradoxical statement? (pp.60, 240)

  6. In Chapter 8, Shulman moves to Boulder. How is that experience parallel to and different from her experience on the nubble?

  7. The Chernobyl incident (pp 188-195) marks another important transition in Shulman's relationship to the world. What happens? Why is it important?

  8. What is the significance of the book's title?

  9. If you were to chart the journey of the most recent decade of your life, what would it be like? What would you title it?