Book Club Questions Whispers of the Bayou 1. Each chapter in this book begins with an excerpt from the epic poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Did you think the excerpts were appropriate to the story? Did reading them make you want to read the entire poem? 2. In the beginning of the story, Miranda says that she doesn't mind listening to other's problems, she just doesn't like to share her own. What makes her this way? Can you identify with these feelings? 3. After Miranda is attacked in the alley, she immediately gets up and pursues her attackers. What does this tell you about her character and her situation? In what way might her bravery be a bad thing? 4. Miranda considers herself to be a poor mother, i.e., disconnected, uninterested, unintuitive. Do you agree or disagree? How do her actions contradict her own opinion of herself as a mother? In what ways does she need improvement? 5. Miranda's most tender moments with her daughter are marred by fear. She wrestles with the idea that real love requires bravery and trust. Do you agree? How might Miranda's ability to love others change once she has accepted Christ? 6. When Holt describes his spiritual conversion, he talks about the cross he must bear. Why is Romans 5:3-4 his life verse? 7. Miranda's connection with Holt intensifies quickly through the story. What do you think had the greatest impact on their bond: their mutual desire to connect, their shared sense of humor, the leading of the Holy Spirit, or something else? What is it about Holt that brings Miranda to open up far more than usual? 8. What do you think of the decisions AJ made in the past? Was Miranda too quick to forgive her? 9. Whose was the greater sin: AJ's lie of deception or Richard's lie by silence? Why is it important for Miranda to lash out when she finally learns the truth about her parents? 10. If Miranda had not learned the truths of her past, do you think she would have been able to break through the invisible barriers between her and Nathan? 11. Though the Holy Spirit was working separately through Nathan and Miranda, they both came to accept Him in the same general time period. Is this believable? Why do you think they were both ready to take that step of faith? 12. When you think of the Cajuns, what image comes to mind? Have your perceptions changed after reading this book? Before reading this story, were you aware of the tragic history of the Cajuns? 13. Until you learned the truth, who did you think killed Willy? What terrible thing did you think Willy had done? 14. Do you think AJ and Holt's relationship will be more successful the second time around? If you were Holt, would you be able to forgive AJ? If you were AJ, would you be hesitant to become involved again with Holt? 15. As you read the book, where did you think the angelus was hidden? How would you feel if you had inherited the responsibility of being a guardian of the angelus? What qualities does Miranda possess that will help her with this responsibility?