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 chapters 11 & 12.
Which character struck you the most in the chapters? Why?
In Chapter 11, it would have to be Billy because of these two sentences from the chapter:
1. "There was an exhausting tension created by the gulf between the person everyone saw and the person Billy knew lay under his skin" (page 66) and2. "She admired everything about him, but he alone was aware that he deserved none of that admiration" (page 67).
Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?
In Chapter 12, it would have to be Rozzy because she knows her son is not perfect but she loves him. The investigative team goes and pays a visit at the homes of Dougie Jones and Reggie Hope. They talk with Reggie's mother, Rozzy. Remembering Mary's suggestion to look in the ceiling tiles, they found a stash of pot. When questioned about the stolen painting, Reggie said he did not steal it. His mom said that her son was not lying. They did not find anything in Dougie Jones' apartment.
Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapters? Which one? Why?
In Chapter 12, I would say Reggie's mother for the reasons 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?
In Chapter 11, Fr. Tom brings up the Prodigal Son again (pages 67-68) when he talks with Billy about the image of the missing Rembrandt painting. In their discussion, we can find the Church's teaching on true freedom that is found in faith, hope, and love. Fr. Tom tells Billy: "The light can be scary, but it becomes the place we have the real freedom to be ourselves - to forgive, accept, and love ourselves"
What do you find most compelling about the chapters? Why?
In Chapter 11, it would have to be the "demons" that Billy seemingly is in battle with when he talks about the person that everyone sees (in the light) and the person that lays beneath (in the dark). Will he be able to reconcile these two images? Also, at the of Chapter 12, Angelo found the bike and it belongs to Bubblegum Bob.
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