Fatal Fraternity (Owen) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
1. How did you feel about Lydia? Is this story a believable portrait of the human struggle between forgiveness and hatred? What makes you say that?

2. Do you think Dean and Lydia make the perfect couple? Why or why not? Do you think their marriage will last?

3. Describe the main characters—personality traits, motivations, inner qualities. Why do the characters do what they do? (Dean, Lydia, Ethan, Mercy, Elda, Chief Douglas).

4. Several characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story. Which one was your favorite? What events trigger the changes?

5. Do you agree with Ethan’s counselor that a trip to the graveyard can be therapeutic? (Chapter 20) Why do you feel that way?

6. Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way?

7. Discuss the book’s structure. Does the author use any narrative devices like flashbacks or multiple voices in telling the story?

8. Did the author lead you to a new understanding or awareness of God’s role in your life?

9. Do you believe it is possible to live a life without pain? Do you think the pain makes people closer to God or causes them, like Lydia, to distance themselves from him? What has been the pattern in your life? Do you agree with Dean’s statement that God is a source of strength during our trials (Chapter 4)?

10. Like Lydia, have you ever felt that God didn’t care about you? Why? Have you been mad at God? Has that changed (Chapter 32)?

11. How did you feel about Dean’s near-death experience? Do you know of a similar case when the person came back focused on serving God? What makes you say that?

12. Do you believe in the forgiving love of God? Do you see your own act of forgiveness as a healing act for your spirit? Where have you seen God at work during your spiritual walk?

13. Were you satisfied with the pastor’s explanation that we all have a hard time forgiving those who hurt us (See Chapter 33.)? What else could he have said? Have you seen God working through human beings to accomplish healing? When?

14. Were you satisfied with Toby’s discussion with Ethan about hating his father (Chapter 16)? What else would you have told the boy?

15. What are the Christian themes that thread the plot?

16. What does the storyline reveal about love?

17. Do you think that someone can forgive and forget — or forgive but still never forget?

18. What do you see as the major message of the novel? Would you recommend this book to a friend?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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