Once again, I am leading a book study. This time the book is Jim Sano's novel "Self Portrait", the 3rd 4th book in the Fr. Tom series. It is a mini-book study over 4 evenings - Feb. 13th, Feb. 20th, March 5th, and March 19th - covering 8 chapters during each meeting.
To help us with our discussions, I came up with questions for us to reflect on and prepare to share during the meeting. The questions are:
- Which character struck you the most in the chapter? Why?
- Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?
- Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapter? Which one? Why?
- Were there any teachings or references to the Catholic faith that you picked up in the chapter? If yes, what is it and what were your thoughts?
- What do you find most compelling about the chapter? Why?
Below are my thoughts on chapter 3.
Which character struck you the most in the chapter? Why?
Detective Sergeant Tony Brooks first appeared in "Stolen Blessing." I am glad to see him back in "Self Portrait" to solve the mystery of the heist.
Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?
I would say Dr. Henri DuBois, the curator of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. He is genuine in his disbelief that the painting is missing - "Impossible", he says. All of us can be like that when something unexpected happens in our lives. The important thing to remember is that, most of the time we cannot control the circumstances in which we find ourselves; however, we can control our we respond.
Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapter? Which one? Why?
Again, I would say Dr. Henri DuBois for the same reasons I mentioned above.
Were there any teachings or references to the Catholic faith that you picked up in the chapter? If yes, what is it and what were your thoughts?
Not directly, but I think we can learn a lot of trusting in God from Dr. Henri DuBois. He finds impossible in an "impossible" situation and cannot do anything except rely on the investigators to find the missing painting. What he can do, such as inform the insurance company, assist with the investigation, etc., he must do. Same with us. We do want we can and we trust in God.
What do you find most compelling about the chapter? Why?
Once again, the heist. Let's see how the plot unfolds as the team of investigators look for clues to solve the mystery.
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