1. Mary Brody struggles with what she calls her "obeast." What
is her obeast? Beyond the obvious "subcutaneous duvet" she carries,
how else does that struggle manifest itself in her life?
2. At one point, Mary admits to hating when she's described as
having a "pretty face." Why?
3. Why do you believe Jimmy Gooch (Gooch) left his wife? More
importantly, why does Mary break from the inertia she's lived with
for so long to leave and look for Gooch?
4. When Mary complains to her father that she must be a
pessimist because she always sees the glass half-empty, her father
replies, "Forget about the glass, Murray. Get a drink from the hose
and push on" (p. 27). In what ways, if any, does Mary heed his
advice?
5. Mary often attributes her weight gain to grief and loss. If
that's the case, why does she start to lose weight after Gooch is
gone? Is her transformation permanent? What might happen to Mary if
Gooch returns?
6. While walking on the beach with Jesus, Mary finally
articulates out loud what she has known in her heart for some time
- Gooch is not coming back. At what point does Mary move from
waiting for Gooch to having a life without him? Why was she never
angry with him for leaving her?
7. At Frankie's hairdressing salon, a woman comments on Mary's
admission that Gooch has left her, saying "I don't care what
happened. Twenty-five years is worth fighting for" (p. 174). Do you
agree in principle? Do you agree in Mary's case?
8. At the points in her journey where she needs it most, Mary
always finds someone waiting to help: Big Avi, Frankie, Eden, Emery
Carr, Ronnie Reeves, Jesus Garcia. What accounts for her good
fortune? Is Mary experiencing the kindness of strangers because
she's "looking up" from the ground for the first time in years?
9. How do these benevolent gestures from strangers tap into the
giving side of Mary's nature?
10. Can you think of an instance in your own life when someone
or something arrived just when you needed it most?
11. Mary has an interesting and redemptive relationship with her
mother-in-law. What is it that they need from each other and how do
they find it?
12. What was your reaction to the end of Mary's story? What do
you believe is next for her?