To discuss his latest selection, “Bridge of Sense” by joining “CBS Mornings” with Oprah Winfre writer Richard Ruso. Dive into the “Bridge of Ah” with this reader’s guide.
Reader’s guide question
1. Bridge of Ahs optionally opposed two stories: Lucy’s first person memoir and story of Robert Nunn. What are the advantages of this structure? How does this affect the way the plot comes out? Does this affect your impression of the main characters?
2. How to describe Thomaston’s Lucy makes the immediate sense of time and location [pp. 10–13]Did the details develop you especially? What is the tone of Lucy, as well as the way he presents various facts about Thomaston and his history, reveals his comprehension and his intelligence?
3. Lucy says, “I always know that there is more moving inside me, compared to finding your way in the world, but it is probably true of everyone. Who does not regret that he does not understand much completely?” [p. 14]To what extent does this feeling lie in the heart of your decision to write their book? Does it play a central role in memoir-writing in general? Lucy expects to complete her past by remembering her past?
4. Horrific mischief plays on the neighborhood boys Lucy, who triggers the first of many “mantras” [pp. 25–36]What is the importance of his mantras? What do they reveal about emotional attachments, concerns and doubts that define her as a child and as an adult?
5. The discovery of Lucy American dreams and its own family and its implications in the society in general gives many references [pp. 62–66, 93–94, 110–111, for example]In later years, the American approach made both our national character and the best parts of its deep undercraps? Which incidents in the novel illuminates discomfort and enmity as a result of class, racial and economic divisions in Thomaston? Do Lucy’s beliefs, decisions and achievements (as a businessman and a joy as a married husband and father) paint the reconstruction of these events?
6. Unlike Lucy’s story, Nunnan’s story is told in the third person. Is the change of voice a literary tool, a way of adding diversity to the novel, or does it serve another purpose? What are the ways in expressing the basic difference between Lucy and Nunn and expressing the way you see themselves and their place in the world? Use tone and language Russo with the style that he uses in his paintings in Nunnan. Which aspects of Nunnan’s character and personality come into life in his conversation with his art dealer and his mistress [pp. 41–61]His reactions to Lucy’s missiles [pp. 158–162] And in the class of Shri Berg in High School [pp. 375–380]And, eventually, his thoughts and behavior when reaching New York [pp. 608–618],
7. Lucy and bobby [pp. 156–157 and pp. 170–171, respectively] Try to explain why their life and all of them have. Do you agree with Lucy that “to look back a life back to front, as everyone starts doing it at a middle age, snatching it its secret and it is imperative, wrapping it in the enemy of drama”? To what extent does Bobby share this scene? Why does Bobby look at himself in the control of his life in such a way that neither is Sara nor Lucy? Is this the result of their background and the circumstances that forced them to prepare themselves for another Act?
8. Teesa Lynch is a practical, stable member of the family. In what ways does his behavior reflects his own choice, needs and desires, and in what ways is it determined in which he lives? Not only in Lucy’s eyes, but also within the community, what qualities do it stand out?
9. Does Lucy’s identity with his father distort his mother’s image and his strength and his understanding about his weaknesses? Beyond his immediate anger, Drives Lucy to tell him, “I never wanted you to love your father. I want you to love me. Was this ever happened to you, even during all those years, that you must have taken me from my side? I can need a friend?” [p. 263]Is it a legitimate criticism, or is Tesa itself responsible, either inadvertently or intentionally, for the difference between Lucy’s relationship with each parents?
10. Sara comes from an unconventional family, especially in the context of Thomston. Is his ability to deal with his parents’ eccentricities and summer/winter living system? In what ways does she not only adapt, but also benefit from things that separate her? Is he an attraction towards Lynch in a response to her lax family?
11. Is he writing with the book “Great”, with the Junoon of Sri Berg – End his image as a rebellious, and with his unsuccessful marriage, with his failed marriage. What is the importance of this fact that he is a Jew? What is the bias, both good and bad, Thomston (including Lucy), what is about the Jews and what effect it affects the berg and their reputation within the community?
12. What role does her mother play in Sara’s own spirit? What are the implications of her thoughts on marriage [pp. 394–395]Do they influence Sara’s feelings about their marriage and her in -laws? Why is Sara back in the house when she shared with her mother when she faces a crisis in her relationship with Lucy [pp. 564–607]What does she learn by looking at the past again?
13. What do Tessa and Sara Share do? In which ways do their marriages mirror each other? Do you think either – or both left their own dreams and desires, sacrificed adventure and sexual passion for a “good” man’s love and safety? Behind their clear satisfaction, are there signs that they regret the options made by them?
14. The bridge in Venice connects the palace of Dogi to a adjacent gel, and, as related to Lucy, “crossing this bridge, without minimal money or effect to the culprits – to understand that all hope was lost” [p. 387]Historical functions of the bridge, as well as the myths around it, are related to the lives of the characters? Why has Russo chosen it as the title of the novel?
15. Richard Ruso has written about small cities throughout his career. What are some similarities like Bridge of Ahs and previous novels Empire Falls And nobody’s FoolIn what ways does the Bridge of Ahce increase and expand the picture of America which is so central for Russo’s writing?
