How is everyone coming along with the book? Are we ready to discuss yet? I am going to move Anya’s questions in the comment section of the previous thread to this main post.
Recognizing that people are at different stages of reading, I thought I would start with a few basic questions for our readers:
1) Which character do you personally relate to more – Paige or Josie?
2) Have you ever had a friendship similar to the one Paige and Josie share?
3) How did you feel about the Prologue? Did you feel it enhanced your reading of the book to have this information provided at the beginning rather than at the end of the book?
4) The author (IMO) does a really good job at making the characters of Paige and Josie seem authentic and their home lives feel “real”. Did you have any “aha” moments where you said “that could be me!”
Note, I have no experience with writing reading guides. (In case you couldn’t tell.) I just like reading! Feel free to add your own questions and answers, but let’s not reveal too much about the book’s second half right away for those of us who want to enjoy Paige and Josie’s journey as it unfolds. Thanks for participating!
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22 Responses to Ivy: The Story of a Friendship
I am exactly half way in.
I am enjoying this book. It is a good read. I am hoping to finish it by next weekend.
How about everyone else?
Which character do you personally relate to more – Paige or Josie?
Oh, I am SUCH a Paige. LOL. Beyond the surface similarities, I actually even have some of the same phobias. For example, I do not like to drive on the freeway. I do it when I have to, but it still makes me nervous and I avoid it when I can. One of the pleasures of the book, however, is I can see certain characteristics of both characters in myself and my friends. It is very relatable that way.
Have you ever had a friendship similar to the one Paige and Josie share?
I look back and it’s kind of neat to think I had some experiences that I wouldn’t have had if not for that friendship.
Hmm. Not exactly. It wasn’t as close a friendship as Paige and Josie, but I did have a good friend a number of years ago who was very much the extravert/party animal and I got dragged into bars and other establishments I never would have entered on my own!
How did you feel about the Prologue? Did you feel it enhanced your reading of the book to have this information provided at the beginning rather than at the end of the book?
I echo Pam on this one. I prefer to have an idea where things were heading. It allowed me to focus on the friendship of Josie and Paige without spending too much time wondering when we were going to find out the ultimate outcome. Plus, it nicely set up the beginning of the novel.
The author (IMO) does a really good job at making the characters of Paige and Josie seem authentic and their home lives feel “real”. Did you have any “aha” moments where you said “that could be me!”
One of the things that I really liked is that the characters were multifaceted. Nobody was perfect or a cardboard cutout of a villian. Even secondary characters, such as Brian, had some humanity to them. Brian had many flaws, but his actions were understandable in the context of who he was as a person. I thought it was funny that Brian and Josie didn’t like each other. Made total sense in the context of each of their relationships with Paige.
The conversations that occured between Paige and Josie sounded real — like two good girlfriends chatting. I loved the commiserating that occured over a pitcher of margaritas!
I am a Paige. I wish I had more of Josie’s outgoing ways. Not caring so much what others think.
I have a close friend that is very different than me. Not exactly like these characters, but someone who makes me look at differently and who is my cheerleader:).
I thought the characters were very authentic. I could understand Josie’s decisions and would likely make the same.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thanks for the suggestion.
I am so glad you are enjoying the book! I bet you’d all like to know where I came up with those characters…or which one I think I’m like? I KNOW you want to know…
My guess is that you are a Paige.
Do you have friends or perhaps sisters with some of these characteristics? Yes I would love to know how writers are able to mold and shape the characters in material they write. I always marvel at it since I am not creative and I would have to struggle to do so.
LOL…Pam, I am a Paige, but with Josie tendencies. As I get older, I’m more and more Josie. Josie is the woman that we all want to be more like (some days). That’s how her character developed. The carefree, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, funny, quirky, live-one-day-at-a-time Josie was born from the regrets (and secret desires) of some women I know. “Oh, how I wish I could get away with wearing THAT!” and the “I should have gone sky-diving when I was younger,” and the “Look at that woman dancing in the parking lot…right there in the parking lot…”
I love both of these women, but Josie will always be my favorite because she, to me, is LIFE. And she reminds me that it IS really short, and we better make the best of it while we’re here.
Two chapters in (I started this morning!) and I am a Paige. No one would say I am like Josie. I would have died before delivering in front of a stranger!
These are very likable ladies and the prologue makes me sad. It isn’t that I mind knowing what the prologue reveals, it’s that I am afraid I won’t like the ending. Do I make sense?
Gwen, thanks for the additional information about how Josie and Paige came to be on paper.
I have finished the book and loved it.
I plan to post some more questions this weekend. Still processing it all….
Anya,
You’re so welcome! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the book. I have some questions to post, too, but want to be sure we have all of our readers…
1) Which character do you personally relate to more – Paige or Josie?
I probably have qualities of each but definitely more of a Paige – I’m cautious and a worrier.
2) Have you ever had a friendship similar to the one Paige and Josie share?
Not really – I don’t think I’ve had friends who are *that* different from me and challenge me so much.
3) How did you feel about the Prologue? Did you feel it enhanced your reading of the book to have this information provided at the beginning rather than at the end of the book?
I’m not sure that it enhanced the book but I would’ve found the death much more painful had I not been expecting it.
4) The author (IMO) does a really good job at making the characters of Paige and Josie seem authentic and their home lives feel “real”. Did you have any “aha” moments where you said “that could be me!”
I did. Definitely some of the interactions between Paige and Jason felt true to life.
Hi Gwen.
Looks like Jen, Wendy and I have finished it.
Pam?
I think Ann is still working her way through. (Her book arrived late).
Not sure if Paula joined us on this go-a-round? Paula, if you did, speak up!
I’ll hold off posting any questions. I’d like to see Gwen’s.
Jen and I talked about certain things that happened at the end of the book and were interested what others thought of Paige and Josie’s decisions towards the end….
Hi ladies, here are some questions:
1- What is the significance of the title “Ivy”?
2- What are some common themes that resonated throughout the book?
3-Josie and Paige have very different personalities, yet they are the same. In what ways did you find them similar?
4 – Do you think it was wrong of Josie not to confide in her friend about her prognosis? Why didn’t she? How would you feel if your best friend kept this secret from you?
5 – In their story, Josie got weaker through her illness and Paige got stronger. Have you even had a friend that made you feel stronger? Weaker? In what way?
…let’s start there, ladies!
Sorry ladies, I’ve not been on the computer lately and I haven’t gotten to the book. I will read it ,but things came up. Please go ahead with your posting I’ll catch up later.
I will be done shortly.
Hi Paula,
So glad to see you! I was wondering what happened to you and I am glad you are still around.
Pam
Great questions, Gwen!
1- What is the significance of the title “Ivy”?
There was the significance mentioned in the book – I think ivy was a symbol of friendship? But I also think there was some symbolic significance in the nature of ivy – it’s tenacious, it clings and intertwines itself with the object that it attaches to. I thought that was a nice metaphor for the friendship of Paige and Josie.
2- What are some common themes that resonated throughout the book?
I think the importance, significance and value of female friendships was a big one. Also, being true to yourself, and pushing past your fears to follow your path. Josie was pretty good at that, and she helped Paige learn.
3-Josie and Paige have very different personalities, yet they are the same. In what ways did you find them similar?
I’m not sure that I found them so much similar as complementary – Josie had the outgoing personality that brought Paige out of her shell, and Paige’s down to earthness reined Josie in and kept her grounded – I also think Paige’s accepting nature meant a lot to Josie.
4 – Do you think it was wrong of Josie not to confide in her friend about her prognosis? Why didn’t she? How would you feel if your best friend kept this secret from you?
I went back and forth on this a lot but I kind of think that it was wrong. I know that Josie thought that there was some reason that Paige would understand if she thought about it, but I really didn’t understand it. At first I was thinking that as the person who was dying, Josie’s wishes should come first. But on reflection…the brutal truth is that Josie was not going to be around for the grieving; Paige was. So in some ways I think it was unfair of her.
5 – In their story, Josie got weaker through her illness and Paige got stronger. Have you even had a friend that made you feel stronger? Weaker? In what way?
I don’t think any friend who makes you feel weaker is a good friend. I think we’ve all had friendships that felt unbalanced, where you felt like you were the beta to someone else’s alpha. Such friendships may have their uses (I think you can grow in them), but ultimately I think there needs to be some level of equality for it to be a healthy, functional friendship (in that way it’s not much different than a romantic relationship).
1- What is the significance of the title “Ivy”?
I did also see this mentioned in the book that Ivy means friendship. I did read up a little on this on the internet and I found that the Celtic meaning of Ivy includes: Growth, Renewal, Connection,Friendship and Opportunity.
To me Ivy is an example of the way friendships take twists and turns. It is also is able to withstand harsh conditions which we all hope friendships worth keeping will also do.
2- What are some common themes that resonated throughout the book?
The most important one for me is friendship. The need to overcome your fears would be another major one. If Paige had not been able to do this she would have never experienced meeting her daughter and granchildren. And of course only with Josie’s friendship and guidance was Paige able to overcome some of her fears. I am not just talking about her fear of driving but her apparent fear of living life to it’s fullest and her fear of the unknown.
3-Josie and Paige have very different personalities, yet they are the same. In what ways did you find them similar?
I am not sure. The both seemed kind of lost at the beginning and in need of a good friend.
4 – Do you think it was wrong of Josie not to confide in her friend about her prognosis? Why didn’t she? How would you feel if your best friend kept this secret from you?
Of course it made absolute sense when I was reading the book, however in real life, I would have been so upset if Josie was my best friend. It is so important for the living to be able to say goodbye. I have had a recent opportunity to find that out and it can be devastating to family members not to say goodbye. This was a situation where there was opportunity and it was not given to the person surviving (Pagie.) So, I agree with Jennie, it was wrong.
5 – In their story, Josie got weaker through her illness and Paige got stronger. Have you even had a friend that made you feel stronger? Weaker? In what way?
I am not sure if a true friend can make you weaker. At least I have not experienced that in my more recent adult life. Maybe as a teenager but that is way too far in the past to even remember. I have on the other hand experienced friendship that has made me stronger. When I started a new position with my current employer, I was a little hesitant on whether I was up to the task. There were also some women in the office that can be very controlling and somewhat jealous. I became close friends with one particular woman in the office who gave me positive feedback and always let me know when others thought I was doing a good job. It was something that was great to hear and really made me not second guess myself and continue to grow in the position.
Gwen,
I really enjoyed this book . Keep writing!
1- What is the significance of the title “Ivy”?
I think Jennie and Pam did a great job reflecting on the title. It was a great choice, Gwen.
2- What are some common themes that resonated throughout the book?
I love how the book celebrated female friendship and acknowledged its value. That was a major theme that held the book together. Another idea was that our friends do not have to be just like us in personality, outlook or goals. In fact, a friendship that contains people in different places in their lives can provide fulfillment and challenge that you might not find in a relationship with someone more similar. Lastly, coffee and margaritas are wonderful indulgences!
3-Josie and Paige have very different personalities, yet they are the same. In what ways did you find them similar?
I think up until their friendship began, neither had found a true best friend. There was a sense (stronger with Paige) that neither had had a wonderful childhood. They were both searching in their own ways. Paige’s search was more overt, but I think Josie was a searcher too. They both had a sense of humor – Paige just needed to have hers drawn out.
4 – Do you think it was wrong of Josie not to confide in her friend about her prognosis? Why didn’t she? How would you feel if your best friend kept this secret from you?
I have to echo Pam’s words here. I think Josie’s decision had some selfish elements to it. I respect her right to die the way she wanted to, but it doesn’t excuse the fact her decision will be something Paige will have to live with the rest of her life.
5 – In their story, Josie got weaker through her illness and Paige got stronger. Have you ever had a friend that made you feel stronger? Weaker? In what way?
Somewhat – in a sort of different way. When I was younger, I was pretty insecure and often felt like I had to act a certain way to impress certain friends who seemed in a stronger position in our relationship. Later, I have had relationships where I felt like I was part-time friend/full-time counselor. I have been told I am a good listener and that is probably part of it. Of course, relationships have their own twists and turns, but it is satisfying to feel like you are on equal footing with your friends.
I love how the book celebrated female friendship and acknowledged its value. That was a major theme that held the book together. Another idea was that our friends do not have to be just like us in personality, outlook or goals. In fact, a friendship that contains people in different places in their lives can provide fulfillment and challenge that you might not find in a relationship with someone more similar.
I think this is an excellent point.
Ladies, it means so much to me that you enjoyed the story — and Josie and Paige. When I created those two characters, I used the best (and the worst) characters in my own very dear friends. I took the sarcasm of one friend and mixed it witht he gypsy-style of another, threw in a pinch of “I am woman, hear me roar,” and created Josie…and so on. Each one of my friends knew this and tried desperately to dissect the women, searching for the “part” of themselves in each. No one figured it out!
Like all of you, I would be sooo upset if a friend did what Josie did, but I think that one of the things I was trying to capture with the story is that we all have some secrets in our lives. Whether it’s something really small — like a secret stash of Dove eggs tucked behind the ice cube tray — or a child we gave up for adoption as a young teen. Even those who say they don’t — they do. So the question remains: How well do we really know our friends? As close as these two women became, each held tight their secrets…one until the end.
“Much of the vitality of friendships lies in the honor of differences, not simply in the enjoyment of similarities” James L. Fredericks.
Again, I am thrilled you enjoyed the book. I enjoyed reading your comments!
How well do we really know our friends? As close as these two women became, each held tight their secrets…one until the end. – Gwen
Gwen, that’s an interesting point and one that causes me to reflect further on what I have read.
In fact, it’s probably a question that would be worthwile to discuss further beyond this book discussion.
We really enjoyed having the author participate on this forum. It really made the experience that much more enriching. Thank you.
I am sooo sorry I haven’t had a chance to chime in sooner.
How are they the same? Secrets! I noticed the “holding back something of themselve for themselves” as their similarity. Gwen, it’s a great story, several times it made me think of people in my own life.
I know the female friendship was the primary relationship in the story, but I found Paige’s relationship with her husband well written and interesting. A couple of times, reading how she perceived his reactions, I wanted to jump in the story and say, “No, no, no! Don’t try to guess what he’s thinking, you’ll only make it worse!” Does anyone else know what I mean?
Yes, I think I noticed that too, Ann. They didn’t communicate well and one of the issues was that Paige tended to try to work out internally what she thought he felt rather than talking to him about it.