Carry Me Like Water, by Edward Saenz

"She understood, as women often do more easily than men, that the declared meaning of a spoken sentence is only its overcoat, and the real meaning lies underneath its scarves and buttons."~ Peter Carey


"Often what a poet doesn't say is as important as what he does."~Miroslav Holub


"A novelist must preserve a childlike belief in the importance of things which common sense considers of no great consequence."~ W. Somerset Maugham


Howdy!

Donna Reardon's selection for our reading and conversational pleasure proves yet again that we don't always have to go outside the state to find our literature or our authors. In what marks Donna's maiden voyage as discussion leader, we explore the work of another writer based in our great state.

CARRY ME LIKEWATER by Benjamin Alire Saenz may be one of the most interesting literary renderings of the phrase "Six Degrees of Separation" that we've come upon in a while. In it's lyrical, even sentimental depiction of the tenuous, yet profound ties that bind individuals as well as whole families, it claims a place among the most rewarding works we've read as a group.

In breadth of character, scenes and locations, this novel makes an ambitious and legitimate claim to be considered among some of the best mainstream fiction being produced today. Of course, that will be the question at hand on Tuesday, and I for one am looking forward to our return to literary fiction with great anticipation.

Donna graciously provided the questions below. So please join us at the appointed place and hour to do what readers love doing almost as much as reading, talking about what they are reading! See you all then.

Durren

Discussion Question


Characters:
~Which did you find most realistic/authentic?
~Were the main characters fully “drawn”? Did you “care” about them?

Plot:
~At what point did you realize the connection between the various main characters? Did you anticipate the “new family” that was formed by the decision to move to El Paso?
~What was your reaction to the inclusion of the magic realism? Was it believable to you or did it seem contrived? Was it necessary to the plot?

Settings:
~In what ways, if any, did the settings (desert, mountains, river, ocean, cities, etc.,) contribute to the plot?

Symbols:
What symbols does Saenz use? Are they effective?

Theme(s):
What message(s) does Saenz have for his readers? Are they subtly presented or does the writer “hammer” them into the readers' heads?