Myramcilvain
The Knotted Ring
Susannah Mobley, pregnant with her slave lover’s baby, accepts an arranged marriage to Hezekiah James, who is headed to Texas seeking a Spanish land grant. Tangled in a series of lies about the origin of a beautiful ring woven from red hair and the circumstances of the pregnancy, Susannah embarks on the harsh trip to Texas, grieving for her lost love and determined to control her destiny.
“Readers will be drawn in by McIlvain’s characters, who are richly developed with powerful voices. The tension crafted between Susannah’s past and present is palpable throughout, and McIlvain skillfully depicts her warring emotions.“–BookLifeview–
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Suggestions for book club discussions:
- What were your feelings about Susannah when she was first introduced?
- How would you define Susannah's relationship with her mother and Mama Jess?
- Did you connect in any way to those relationships?
- How did you feel about Mama Jess? Did your view change as the story progressed?
- How would you characterize Philippe and Hezekiah? Did they seem trustworthy/honorable?
- How did you feel about Susannah's betrayal of Rutherford?
- Was Susannah's marriage to Hezekiah her only choice?
- Did Susannah's association/views of the characters on the wagon train offer insight into her character? i.e., the wives, Native Americans, Mary Crankston, Lizzie, and Obie Washington?
- What were your feelings regarding Susannah and/or Hezekiah's views of slavery? 10. Did you care more or less for Hezekiah as the story unfolded?
- Did you care more or less for Hezekiah as the story unfolded?
- Did you agree with Susannah's change over time in her relationship with Hezekiah? What would you have done in her place?
- What did you think of Susannah and Hezekiah's relationship with Mason? Venus? Robin?
- Did you find Susannah's and Hezekiah's relationship agreeable over the years?
- Did you see circumstances in this story that translate to the present day?
- What was your reaction to the resolution of the story?