The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

 Following the extremely successful release of the Twilight saga, Meyer released The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga) to elaborate on a very minor character in book two, Eclipse. In this short book, the reader learns more about the Seattle vampires, their leaders, and the events leading up to the epic battle at the end of Eclipse.

Reading Questions:

1) Did you ever wonder about Bree’s character in Eclipse? If so, why?

2) If you have read the Twilight saga, you are familiar with “vegetarian” vampires, but the Seattle vampires are definitely not “vegetarians.” How much does Bree remind you of what you originally thought about vampires before you met the “vegetarian” Cullens?

3) In The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, we see another side to the Seattle vampires and the fight at the end of Eclipse. After reading this novella, do you have a new appreciation for understanding more than one side of a story or argument? What is something you may now want to explore from more than one angle?

4) Normally, knowing that a human is suffering makes people hate the one inflicting the pain, but here we feel connected to Bree (and even the other vampires). Why do you think we are able to suspend our natural instinctual judgments and side with the vampire (or vampires) in this story? And is there a “real life” affect of this? In other words, can this kind of sympathy happen in real life? If so, when and how?

5) There is a lot of talk about what is better – vampires or humans. Bree seems happier as a vampire, but she was also one of the “dregs.” What side are you on and why?

6) Freaky Fred begins to play a less accidental role in Bree’s safety. Do you think anything more will come of this role? What causes you to make this prediction?

7) How does it feel to know so much more about the world – vampire rules, her, and even Bree’s fate – than Bree does? How does that make this novella different than the Twilight saga?

8) There is a definite parallel between new vampires and normal teens (despite the label of “newborn”). Riley uses strict rules and routines to keep his babies in check, which works… sometimes. What might Meyer be saying through this novella about how to raise teens? What is your opinion? And what is better – free thinkers (like Bree, Diego and Fred) or rule-abiders?

9) How well do the ending scenes in Bree Tanner align with those in Eclipse? How well did Meyer fill in the gaps? How do you feel about the ending scene in Eclipse now?

Larger Discussion Questions:

1) If you haven’t already, read the introduction and think about the differences between how the Twilight books and Bree Tanner are written. How is Bree’s voice different from Bella’s? Which do you like more?

2) How well do you think Meyer did creating a full-blown character out of Bree’s few pages in Eclipse? Are you glad she chose to write this novella to help you understand Bree and the Seattle vampires?

3) It is easy to hate, love and/or blame any leader, but as we see with her and with Riley, the “leader” is not always in full control. Think of some leaders you have felt passionately about and discuss how your perspective of them could change if you understood more of his/her influences.

If you are unfamiliar with Stephanie Meyer's The Twilight Saga,the movies that have been made of the first three Twilight saga books, Twilight,The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: New Moon or her great adult novel The Host: A Novel, please check them out. I can't stand behind the movies, but the books are a delicious indulgence!

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

No discussion of the Gothic is complete without The Castle of Otranto
by Horace Walpole. Widely acknowledged as the first novel of it’s kind, Walpole establishes many of the elements we consider standard in Gothic and horror stories of today. And, like so many 18th Century novels, the drama revolves around death, inheritance, God and love. Don’t be deceived by its brevity; this book packs a lot into a small package.

This first set of questions is designed to help you think through what you're reading as you read the book. The second set of questions are larger, more thought-provoking questions to read once you have completed The Castle of Otranto.

Reading Questions:

1) Although Manfred’s character may feel a little clichéd, remember that he was the original in a long line of Gothic tyrants. What about him seems familiar? In other words, what have others copied or drawn from his character?
2) What do you think Manfred’s obsession over Conrad’s death will lead to? What leads you to this prediction?
3) Isabella becomes the object of much attention. What do you think about Manfred’s behavior after Conrad’s death? Do you think him a complete monster or do you feel any sympathy for his character?
4) There are many rumors about the imposter, Theodore, who happened to appear at the wrong place at the wrong time. Who do you think he really is and what clues have led you in that direction? Pay attention to things like his character, when and where he appears, and how he interacts with other characters.
5) All authors create a “story world” for their readers with it’s own set of rules and definitions of what is “normal.” In Otranto, Walpole has made giant armor fall from the sky and, although the characters are very uneasy about this, we are to accept it as plausible. What do you make of this strange occurrence? Why do you think it affects Manfred more than the other characters and what do you think will be revealed about the mysterious helmet?
6) In chapter three, Matilda tells Theodore to “fly to the sanctuary. – To sanctuary! said Theodore: No, princess; sanctuaries are for helpless damsels, or for criminals. Theodore’s soul is free from guilt, nor will wear the appearances of it” (Walpole 65). What does this statement tell us about what a hero is and does?
7) What is the role of the church (think about Father Jerome) in this book? What might that say about Walpole’s thoughts on religion, church, salvation and the safety it provides?
8) Discuss the ending of the book and the fate of the characters. Did it end how you expected? Why do you think certain characters survived while others did not?


Larger Discussion Questions:

1) This is considered the first Gothic novel and it sets the standards for the genre. Before you read this, talk about what things you expect to find in a modern horror/thriller, such as ghosts, damsels in distress, etc. Then, take not of how many you find in Otranto.
2) Think about the roles that servants played in Otranto. Manfred treated all unfairly, although the women seemed to treat their ladies with more decorum. What can we learn about 18th Century households through their interactions? Who really holds the power in this relationship?
3) Religion is an important element in the book. Discuss how it factored in to the story and what Walpole might have wanted his reader to take away from his depiction of it, the church and those who follow it.
4) Although two of the main characters are men, we see more of the female community in Otranto. What do you know about 18th Century British households? What can you deduce from Walpole’s description of this one? How is it the same or different from households and female relationships today?

Dracula by Bram Stoker

I wanted to kick October off with some of my favorite Gothic and thriller novels. First on the list is Dracula by Bram Stoker. This classic tale is one most people feel they know, but don’t really unless they’ve read the book. First, follow Jonathan Harker to Transylvania to meet the infamous Count. Then, see how an unlikely group of friends, lovers, doctors and an asylum patient all do their part to complicate and solve the mystery of Dracula’s whereabouts in London.

This first set of questions is designed to help you think through what you're reading as you read the book. The second set of questions are larger, more thought-provoking questions to read once you have completed Dracula.

Reading Questions: 

1)    Dracula has become a famous (or should I say infamous) character over the years. Before you read the book, talk about the expectations you have for Dracula. What have you seen in movies, TV shows, etc. that cause you to think the book will be this way?

2)    You will discover that Dracula is presented through the writing of several different characters. The first is Jonathan Harker. He begins as a very logically minded businessman who, once trapped by Dracula, begins a steady mental decline. At times, it is difficult for either Jonathan or the reader to determine his level of sanity. How does this affect his reliability as a narrator? How does this contribute to the level of suspense while Jonathan is at the castle?

3)    What is the relationship like between Mina Murray and Lucy Westenra? 

4)    It seems odd that Lucy’s three suitors, Dr. John Seward, Mr. Quincey O. Morris, Hon. Arthur Holmwood (who becomes her fiancé) are all dear friends. Why do you think Stoker chose to create this awkward love triangle? What do you think the advantages or disadvantages might be of this as the book continues?

5)    By the end of chapter seven, many strange events are occurring. What connections do you see (or predict there will be) between Jonathan’s “disappearance,” our women and suitors in London, Lucy’s sleepwalking, the ship crashing, and Renfield (Dr. Seward’s patient)?

6)    Here, as things become more intense, we become subjected to choppier storytelling done by multiple narrators. Although this has been a pattern in the book, why do you think Stoker chooses to get so many characters involved in the plot and in the storytelling? How does this change affect you, as a reader?

7)    The story moves from being focused on Jonathan, to Mina and Lucy, and now to Lucy, her three suitors and Dr. Van Helsing. Why do you think our two initial main characters (Jonathan and Mina) have been omitted for such a long time now?

8)    Why do you think Renfield becomes obsessed with having a pet?

9)    Lucy is surrounded by worthy, young, strapping men who are all desperately in love with her, but it is only Van Helsing who is able to determine what is wrong with her. Why is he able to do what the younger men cannot? How is his character different from those of Holmwood, Seward and Morris?

10) As the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together, we see our first real transformation – that of Lucy. The character who has been beloved to all is now a monster and even Dr. Seward cannot stand the site of her: “At that moment the remnant of my love passed into hate and loathing; had she then to be killed, I could have done it with savage delight” (Stoker 232). What might we understand about love, good versus evil, and acceptance through this change?

11) In chapter 19, Van Helsing says that he “may gain more knowledge out of the folly of this madman [Renfield] than I shall from the teaching of the most wise” (Stoker 281). What could he mean by that? What role do you think Renfield will play in the rest of this story?

12) In many ways, Dracula is as much mystery as it is horror/suspense. Was this something that you expected? And have you been able to pick up on the logic and clues in the narratives to solve the mystery of the dirt and Dracula’s whereabouts? If so, how? If not, what have you determined thus far?

13) The characters often remark with horror about the red mark Mina gets on her forehead after her encounter with Dracula. Why do you think it bothers them so much? Is it just a reminder of a horrible event or is there more? What significance does it hold?

14) Stoker includes an interesting note at the very end of the book that asks his reader about truth. Although the characters have repeatedly written of the validity of this tale through facts and accurate accounts of events, the reader is now asked to take everything on good faith. Why do you think Stoker chose to end this way? How does this choice affect your trust of the characters and your experience with the book?

Larger Discussion Questions:

1)    Like so many novels of this time period, Dracula plays into stereotypical gender roles. Were you at all bothered by the heroine-in-distress part of the plot? Did any of the characters complicate or challenge these “normal” gender roles?

2)    How does reading Dracula confirm or challenge any of what you knew about vampires and vampire lore? How have other, more modern, versions of vampires changed what Stoker established in this book in 1987?

3)    Although Mina is left out of a lot of the action in the latter half of the book because she is a woman, yet she is the one who organizes everyone’s writing into this book. Talk about what this might mean in terms of power, authority, and reliability.

4)    There is a lot of emphasis placed on writing in this book – not just in the fact that the book is supposed to be created by different written and transcribed accounts, but also because the characters themselves seem to benefit from the writing process. We are told that the writing must be accurate, but that it is also therapeutic for the characters. These two things seem to contradict themselves because one is emotion-based while the other is logical. How do these opposing motives affect your trust in the narrators? Are there characters that you trust more than others?

Of all the film versions of Dracula I’ve seen, Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition)directed by Francis Ford Coppola is the closest to the novel. Try watching it and discussing the differences. If you’re really in a vampire mood, also check out the original 1931 version of Dracula (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series) directed by Tod Browning and starring Bela Lugosi.