The Copper Box – for Book Clubs

For Book Clubs

One of the delights of being a published author is hearing from readers. I particularly enjoy interacting with local book clubs. With the magic of the internet, I can extend my reach to book clubs outside of driving distance.

First, you’ll find ways to contact me and invite me to your book club meeting for a virtual visit. I can make a brief presentation on a topic of your choice and then take questions, your members can give me feedback on the book, or we can have a completely open-ended exchange: your choice. And it’s just for fun—no fees involved.

Next, you’ll find a list of questions designed to spur discussion. Based on life experience, each reader finds something different in the same book, so readers will have different answers to these questions. Feel free to choose from these questions or add your own.

Last, you’ll find excerpts and prompts to guide individual readers (or clubs) who want to delve a little deeper and read the book like a writer might read it.

I hope to hear from a member of your club soon!

Blessings,
Suzanne

Conversation with the Author

How it Works

• Google Hangouts – I can connect with up to ten people simultaneously on Google Hangouts, so if ten of your members have Google Hangouts on an iPad and are willing to gather a couple of members around, about thirty of us can all see each other.

• Skype – I can connect with one member on a video call. If one of your members knows how to project the call to a screen or a television monitor, you can all see and hear me. I can see whoever is in front of the screen.

Contact Me

If your club is interested in inviting me to a meeting, please contact me via email: suzanne@suzannebratcher.com. From there, I’ll set up time for a phone call with your coordinator for the event, and we’ll work out the details.

Discussion Questions

A. CHARACTERS

1. What primary emotion (i.e. guilt, greed, discovery, love) motivated each of the main characters?
2. What mixed feelings created doubt for Marty when her grandmother appeared after over 20 years?
3. Why did Marty feel guilty about Ruthie’s death? Did those feelings color her decision to go back into her past? How?
4. What character(s) did you find most believable? Why?
5. What character(s) did you find least believable? Why?
6. Who did you find to be the most complex character in the story? Why?

B. SETTING

1. How did the town of Jerome figure into the story?
2. Did revisiting Jerome bring Marty any happy memories or only sadness and regret?
   Did the setting affect any outcomes? How?
3. What role did the copper box play in the story?

C. PLOT

1. Did Marty stay true to her character as she dealt with those trying to manipulate her future? How or how not?
2. Was Paul successful in dealing with Scott’s anger to mend his distrust of him? How or how not?
3. Which of the “accidents” intrigued the most? Why?
4. Which of the “accidents” seemed contrived? Why? How might the author have corrected the problem?
5. Did Marty get an answer to why she was put up for adoption? How did she feel about her adoption at the end of the story? Why?
6. Did faith help any of the characters reach resolution? Who and how?
7. Do you think Marty, Paul, and Scott will stay in Jerome to create their new life together?

D. THEME

1. Which character most closely resembles your struggles with the past? (Don’t forget Scott or Brad.)
2. What did you take away from The Copper Box?
3. How did you feel about the faith thread in this mystery?

Delve Deeper: Read Like a Writer

Most writing teachers insist that stories begin with either plot or character. My stories, however, usually begin with setting. This alternative method insures that each of my stories is a new writing adventure. If you’re interested in reading The Copper Box like a writer might read it, this section will guide you.

A. SETTING

Jerome, Arizona is a unique setting. Not quite a ghost town, not quite a state historical park, not quite an artist community, it’s a tourist attraction that draws visitors back again and again. More than a backdrop for the story, the town is key to the characters and plot.

• Read pages 17-18

How does this section introduce the setting, the main character, the central conflict? How does it foreshadow two accidents central to the story?

• Read pages 85-86

How does this section use setting to mirror Marty’s state of mind?

• Find other examples of the setting that reflect some aspect of this story.

B. CHARACTERS THAT GROW FROM SETTING

The main characters, from their occupations to their internal conflicts, seem to have been created from the dust of Jerome.

• Why does Marty’s character belong in a ghost town? Why does she keep insisting she doesn’t believe in ghosts?
• Why does Paul’s character belong in a ghost town?

Characters’ individual settings tell a lot about them.

• Read pages 6-7

What Marty’s setting show about her character?

• Read pages 11-14

What does Paul and Scott’s setting show about their characters?

• Read pages 156-60

What does Krystal’s setting show about her character?

• Find other examples of the setting that show something about a character.

C. PLOT THAT GROWS FROM SETTING

Plot grows from the conflicts characters face. Paul’s conflict could work in another setting, but marty’s conflict might seem fanciful in another setting.

• Read pages 99-101

What about this conflict makes it more likely to occur in a ghost town than somewhere else?

• Read pages 131-134

What about this conflict makes it a natural for a ghost town?

• Read pages 197-199

Why does this conflict work in a ghost town?

• Find other conflicts in this story that work because of the setting.

D. THEME THAT GROWS FROM SETTING

Theme grows from the insights characters gain as they struggle with the conflicts of the plot.

• Read pages 191-192

Why does the verse (Philippians 3:13-14) Sofia reads to Paul apply to this setting with these conflicts?

• Find other insights characters gain in this story that apply because of the setting and conflicts.