Here are some new discussion questions. They are spoiler proof and applicable to those who are still early in their reading.
1) What does Anita see in Georgia that gives her confidence to invest? Why does Georgia trust Anita, given her past relationships that went awry?
2) Georgia has a history of being burned by the people closest to her. Do you think there are moments when her defenses against intimacy and protectiveness of Dakota are excessive?
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14 Responses to The Friday Night Knitting Club – New Discussion Questions
1) What does Anita see in Georgia that gives her confidence to invest? Why does Georgia trust Anita, given her past relationships that went awry?
I’m not sure if I know what Anita sees in Georgia. I think it’s more that Anita wants a daughter and needs a “project”, and Georgia fits the bill. I think Georgia trusts Anita because she has little choice – she really doesn’t want to have to go home to her parents.
2) Georgia has a history of being burned by the people closest to her. Do you think there are moments when her defenses against intimacy and protectiveness of Dakota are excessive?
Absolutely. The fact that Georgia apparently had no significant relationships since the one with James ended indicates to me that she is closed off to an excessive degree.
1) What does Anita see in Georgia that gives her confidence to invest? Why does Georgia trust Anita, given her past relationships that went awry?
How could you not wish Georgia was your daughter? She is strong, independent and has gotten along without much assistance from anyone. She appears to be easy to get along with. Too good to be true! Anita needs family around her. She is that kind of a person. Georgia fulfills that need. I understand that. No one can replace my family, but when you do not live close to your family you become attached to a core group of friends that become like your family. They probably know you better than most of your family members. You spend many holidays and important occasions with them because distance does not allow you to do so with your family.
Who could not trust Anita? She is working for free! LOL
2) Georgia has a history of being burned by the people closest to her. Do you think there are moments when her defenses against intimacy and protectiveness of Dakota are excessive?
I agree with Jennie. Georgia appears to monitor Dakota pretty closely. Although I have to tell you, I am not sure that I could allow a man to come into my daughter’s life as easily as Georgia did.
1) What does Anita see in Georgia that gives her confidence to invest? Why does Georgia trust Anita, given her past relationships that went awry?
I also think this is a mother daughter relationship. Each is filling a need for the other. I also think that they truly come to love, and think this way about the other.
2) Georgia has a history of being burned by the people closest to her. Do you think there are moments when her defenses against intimacy and protectiveness of Dakota are excessive?
Probably, and I can relate. When I was divorced and my ex couldn’t be bothered with his daughter, I was really protective of her. I loosened up as she got older but I felt I had to be both Mom and Dad. She was only 5.
She just started college and I am an empty nester. I miss her and visa versa but we will be fine. She commented that the two of us have accomplished alot. Enough about me.
Pam I think I know what you mean about letting a man come into Dakotas life that easily. My daughter’s dad tried to come back into her life when she was 17. I basically left it up to her but she said it was to late. That will be his lose and his biggest regret. Again sorry for my life commentary, I told you this book really touched my heart.
I really am enjoying this book but life gets in the way and I still have not finished it. But I will.
Paula,
I wanted to mention this couple of lines from the book: Young people – whom Anita counted as anyone under fifty – never really thought about the generations ahead being the same as they were. Every pair of lovers thinks they invented sex.”
When I read this I was thinking, this is so true. I know 30 years ago I probably felt that anyone over 50 did not know what they were talking about when it came to music, sex, movies or any current topics or events. I, of course, know a lot more now and have a different opinion.
Pam,
I remember the moment I crossed the line. A younger colleauge asked me about my divorce and somewhere in the conversation I said that sex wasn’t a reason for the divorce and that in fact I enjoyed sex. She looked at me like I was nuts and I said, ” You twenty year olds think you invented sex when actually it get better as you get older.” I knew I had become one of them. TMI
Paula and Pam, I enjoyed (and agree) with your OT observations! Paula, I am a single mom of a 17-year-old – we should talk sometime!
What does Anita see in Georgia that gives her confidence to invest? Why does Georgia trust Anita, given her past relationships that went awry?
I pretty much agree with others regarding Anita’s motives. Georgia is the daughter Anita never had. And I think Georgia presented herself as responsible enough that Anita felt confident in investing. Of course, it helped that they shared a love of knitting.
I think obviously one of the few relationships that Georgia had where she was treated with unconditional love was her relationship with her grandmother. So perhaps Anita was a substitute for her grandmother and Georgia was quicker to trust an older woman who helped to fulfill a role she was seeking.
Georgia has a history of being burned by the people closest to her. Do you think there are moments when her defenses against intimacy and protectiveness of Dakota are excessive?
Georgia’s defenses against intimacy are understandable to me, however, I agree, they have held her back from fully experiencing life. As a single mom, there is definitely a balance that I identify with.
I actually think Georgia is not excessively protective of Dakota. She seems to comprehend that her daughter is at a tender age. I think she is doing her best to protect her daughter’s best interests.
I finally finished the book and I did enjoy it. I felt that is was a little disjointed and did not flow smoothly at times but for the most part, I would recommend it to others.
I was surprised at the ending. That was not the way I thought this book was headed until Georgia actually became ill. But I was OK with the ending. Real life. Sad, but real life.
I think that I enjoyed this book because it was a “portrait of female friendship” and showed women as being strong and independent but yet still empathetic to each other’s situations.
The kitting club was a sisterhood. In a lot of ways it reminded me of our group of women that came together over blogging about a TV show and actually found out we had many things in common and chose to stick around and share our lives and support each other.
I guess you could say we are kind of a virtual “Friday Night Knitting Club.”
The ending really surprised me too. I had lost a very good friend the same way only weeks before I read the book. Needless to say the tears just flowed. I think that is the real reason I felt so strongly about the book. It really helped me deal with my grief.
I agree Pam, Imperfect Women has become a sort of Friday Night Knitting Club. People are free to comment or not or come and go as time permits. The founders must be so proud of their effort.
Are we going to read a September book?
Anya, my daughter started college this week and I am an empty nester. I think the group has my e-mail if you would like to chat.
Hi Paula and others:
Any idea for a September book? It may be an October book by the time we get going, but that is ok.
Paula, I am going to email you!
What about Star-Crossed?
I know I’m slow on this topic but I finally finished the book. Loved the whole sisterhood vibe of the book. I enjoyed how these women who had nothing in common could come together over one common thread, knitting and grow there relationships. I cried like a baby and thought the end was a blow of emotions. I wasn’t expecting it. It was a great book. I think I’m going to search for her book two the next time I’m at the book store. I want more!!!
Darlene,
I hope you will join us with our next Book Club selection, Ivy: The Story of a Friendship. You can find out more about it here. Glad you enjoyed The Friday Night Knitting Club. I did also.
Darlene, nice to see you!
I am sure we are just posting in different threads, but I feel it’s been a while.
I am excited about starting “Ivy” too.
I should be finished in a week or two. If anyone – Darlene – or someone else — would like me to pass the book along when I am done, just send me an email.
Always glad to help a fellow reader out!