Ellen Block
Novelist
The Definition of Wind
For Reading Groups
READING GROUP QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:
1) Why do you think Abigail doesn't tell anyone on Chapel Island about her husband and son? Why is she anxious when people start finding out?
2) Why is Abigail so upset by her home repair problems? Discuss the ways in which the author uses them to mirror Abigail's emotional and psychological journey through the novel. Do you think a different set of crises would have been as effective?
3) How is Abigail's former career as a lexicographer important to the novel? Why do you think the author chose that particular profession?
4) Discuss Abigail's reservations about Tim. Did you have similar reservations? Were you surprised at the ultimate revelations about his character?
5) Why do you think Abigail agrees to help Lottie with her tenants? What do you think she ends up getting out of this role?
6) Why is Abigail so concerned with fitting in with the locals on Chapel Island? Do you think she's ever able to achieve that? Discuss a situation in which you've tried to fit in-in the end, was it worth it?
7) Abigail finds good friends in Ruth, Merle, Bert, Denny, and eventually Nat. Discuss Abigail's relationship with each character. How do you think they are able to help her? In what ways does she have an impact on each of their lives?
8) Abigail seems at times to be both scared and protective of Wesley Jasper. Why do you think that is? Have you had any experiences of your own with ghosts? How do you think you would have reacted to Wesley?
9) Why do you think Abigail becomes so invested in the drama surrounding the Bishop's Mystery? What does the ship come to mean to her?
10) Do you think Nat is a good fit for Abigail? Why or why not? What do you think the future holds for them?
11) What reasons does Abigail give for choosing Chapel Island? Do you think there are additional motivations that she doesn't state? In what ways has the island met her expectations? In what ways has it surprised her?
The author is always open to visiting local book groups and participating in online chats.
READING GROUP QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:
1) Why do you think Abigail doesn't tell anyone on Chapel Island about her husband and son? Why is she anxious when people start finding out?
2) Why is Abigail so upset by her home repair problems? Discuss the ways in which the author uses them to mirror Abigail's emotional and psychological journey through the novel. Do you think a different set of crises would have been as effective?
3) How is Abigail's former career as a lexicographer important to the novel? Why do you think the author chose that particular profession?
4) Discuss Abigail's reservations about Tim. Did you have similar reservations? Were you surprised at the ultimate revelations about his character?
5) Why do you think Abigail agrees to help Lottie with her tenants? What do you think she ends up getting out of this role?
6) Why is Abigail so concerned with fitting in with the locals on Chapel Island? Do you think she's ever able to achieve that? Discuss a situation in which you've tried to fit in-in the end, was it worth it?
7) Abigail finds good friends in Ruth, Merle, Bert, Denny, and eventually Nat. Discuss Abigail's relationship with each character. How do you think they are able to help her? In what ways does she have an impact on each of their lives?
8) Abigail seems at times to be both scared and protective of Wesley Jasper. Why do you think that is? Have you had any experiences of your own with ghosts? How do you think you would have reacted to Wesley?
9) Why do you think Abigail becomes so invested in the drama surrounding the Bishop's Mystery? What does the ship come to mean to her?
10) Do you think Nat is a good fit for Abigail? Why or why not? What do you think the future holds for them?
11) What reasons does Abigail give for choosing Chapel Island? Do you think there are additional motivations that she doesn't state? In what ways has the island met her expectations? In what ways has it surprised her?
The author is always open to visiting local book groups and participating in online chats.
