The Everygirl Book Club: Then Again // week three

Aug 27, 2012

The Everygirl Book Club: Then Again // week three

It’s week three and we’re over halfway through Then Again, this month’s selection for the Random House Reader’s Circle for The Everygirl! Once again, Diane has provided us with a wealth of topics to discuss, including: humor, memories, failed relationships, and losing a parent.

We’ve posted some questions below, but feel free to share your own thoughts, questions, and opinions. And remember that our commenting programming allows you to reply directly to one another’s comments and get e-mail alerts when new comments are posted, allowing everyone to engage in conversation. That way, time zone and location is not a concern, and the conversation can continue all week!

If you read ahead, be sure not to address anything that happens after page 201 (Chapter 11). No spoilers please!

Discussion Questions:

Diane says, “Humor helps us get through life with a modicum of grace.” What role does humor play in your life?

In Chapter 8, Diane describes one of her favorite memories: a perfect afternoon with Woody sitting on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum. What is one of your favorite memories? Why was that particular moment or experience memorable?

Al Pacino made Diane think about the difference between being an artist and being artistic. What are your thoughts on this subject?

Chapter 10 explores Diane’s relationship and interaction with her father, Jack, during the final months of his life. How does this chapter differ from earlier passages about Jack? What are your thoughts about their father-daughter relationship?

Speaking of Al Pacino, Diane says, “I wanted him to want me as much as I wanted him.” Have you had similar feelings in a past relationship? How did you get through the breakup? What lessons did you learn?

Diane asks, “What is perfection, anyway? It’s the death of creativity, that’s what I think, while change, on the other hand, is the cornerstone of new ideas.” Do you agree or disagree with her conclusion?

Several times throughout the book Diane reveals her intense fear of flying. What is something you’re afraid of and how do you cope with that fear?

Week 4 Assignment:
Read up to page 270 (Afterward) and come back on Monday, September 3, for our final discussion!

http://dccl.wordpress.com/ Catherine Ahern

Hmmm, it looks like I’m not the only one who fell behind last week… I can’t say that I disliked this section, but I did lose some steam when Diane talked about movies she was in / projects she worked that I knew nothing about. I zoned out for some of those paragraphs and had a hard time reconnecting.

I was interested in the point about the difference between artists and artistic people. Is Diane’s definition of an artist more like a creative genius? I would agree that, while everyone has the ability to be artistic, not everyone has the ability to be a creative genius. I just don’t know how you can draw a definitive line between the two. Who decides which people are artists and which are just artistic? (It makes me think about artists who weren’t appreciated at all until after they died–it’s so subjective.) I think most people would categorize Diane Keaton as an artist. I wonder if Al Pacino, on the other hand, would consider himself an artist or if he’s a self-critical as Diane is…

Ugh, what EG can’t relate to the “I wanted him to want me as much as I wanted him” feeling? I’ve had it more times than I’d like to admit, unfortunately–including towards some guys that were completely wrong for me. Once I’m more removed from the relationship I am able to be more objective and can see all of the reasons why it wasn’t right, but it’s a painful, confidence-depleting feeling while it’s going on.
http://livingmylifeasiknowit.wordpress.com/ Christina Tamm

I completely fell of the band wagon. I’ll hopefully be able to stay in tune with next months book.
http://twitter.com/DreamGreenDIY Carrie Waller

“Humor helps us get through life with a modicum of grace.” – I love that line. It’s so true too. Sometimes you just have to laugh it off! I’ve been struggling a lot with decisions over my career lately, but I’ve gotten through it with a few stolen moments of carefree laughter – Teaching my hubby how to do the Macarena in the kitchen, chuckling over the latest crazy thing our pets have done. It makes me realize that life is special and fun, despite the difficulties.
My heart went out to Diane as she described her father’s illness and passing. I never felt all that connected to Jack through the book (or that DIANE was connected with Jack), but I think you can sense that there was a lasting, albeit fleeting, connection at the end of his life. Maybe it was too little too late, or maybe it was just enough…

“What is perfection, anyway? It’s the death of creativity, that’s what I think, while change, on the other hand, is the cornerstone of new ideas.” - I have to say that I agree with this. So often, I compare myself to other’s success and seeming perfection and spend all my time wishing that I could be them instead of cultivating my own successes. Envy kills creativity because it forces you to try to copy what’s already been done. Change forces new parts of yourself to grow or even just to BECOME.