Reader's Guide for ARMS OF GOD

1. Olivia dies only a short time after reappearing in Alice's life. Do you think that she knew she was going to die? If she did, was it the knowledge of her imminent death that led her to seek out her abandoned daughter? If you knew you had three weeks to live, is there somebody you would try to find?

2. Alice reveals some of her difficulty in living with her mother's decision to abandon her. What do you see in the character that might be the result of such an action?

3. Do you think that Olivia should have explained why she did what she did? How frustrating do you think it would be not to hear an explanation or an apology? Was it enough that she just showed up?

4. After leaving the hospital, Alice decides to go to her mother's residence. She seems to think that maybe in her mother's belongings she might find out more about her. Was there any “thing” that Alice found that was helpful? What did the place, the room, say about Olivia? What do you think was the most important thing she found?

5. It's clear in the story that Alice never really knows her mother's story. In fact, the reader knows more than the daughter. Do you think Alice knows enough or would have hearing the details made a difference?

6. How much of your mother's story do you know? What was her upbringing? What kind of woman is/was she? And the big question…..How much of a mother's life story affects the life story of her child?

7. Tree is the landlord. Olivia not only finds her daughter, she finds her best friend. How important is a long term friendship? Do you have any friends from your childhood? How are they different from your other friends?

8. The story deals a lot with racism. What do you think about the state of our nation regarding race relations? How integrated is your life? The lives of your children?

9. How do you define the hope in this story? The hope for Olivia? For Alice? For Anna?

10. Regardless of the judgments that can be made about Olivia and her choice to abandon her daughter and regardless of what is thought about what she didn't say when she showed up at Alice's door, she did show up. How important is it to make amends for past wrongs?

11. This story has been called “haunting;” and indeed, as the author, I have felt haunted by the characters. Is there any part of this story or any character that stays with you?

12. What would be your wish for each of the characters in this story? Alice, Tree, E.Saul, and Anna.