Discuss Ruth. Who is Ruth? What is her purpose in writing down this story? Would you consider Ruth naïve? Why? What impact does Ruth's mother have on her life? How did having an intelligent brother affect Ruth's emotional health? What impact did her letters to her Aunt Sid have on Ruth's childhood? Her adulthood? Why?

Discuss Ruby. Who is Ruby? What affect did nearly drowning as an infant have on Ruby's life? Was Ruby damaged by this event in a physical way? In an emotional way? Explain. What was Ruby's relationship like with his mother? How does this compare to Ruth's relationship with her own mother?

Discuss May. Who is May? What was May like before her first marriage? Was she different from the woman Ruth would know? What happened to May's first husband? How did this change the course of her life...