Night Booker's Book Club Discussion of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

The group had a lively discussion about The Lace Reader. Most of the group did not get the clues the author laid out that pointed to the fact that "Lyndley," the twin sister of Towner who died when she was a teenager, was actually a split personality of Towner. Towner's twin sister died at their birth, and her twin sister's name was Lyndsey. Towner had a mental breakdown because her mother was physically abused by her father Cal, and Towner was sexually abused by him. The group spent most of the time going over the clues in hindsight that led to the conclusion of the book. One person was not surprised by the ending because in the beginning of the book Towner says she is a liar. Also, she was not surprised with Towner's mental illness, because so many people suffer with some form of mental illness. Towner had a brief relationship with Rafferty the cop. Someone said they were both damaged people; Rafferty is an recovering alcoholic. They were both vulnerable which is why they gravitated to one another. However, most people did not feel any real love between them, even though they did like Rafferty. People also talked about Cal, the abuser who was a yacht captain and then became a leader of a cult. The group thought Eva, Towner's grandmother committed suicide by swimming, but that her intent was to pin it on to Cal. The group talked about lace reading; each chapter was headed with explanation on lace reading. May, Towner's aunt, made lace with domestic violence victims.
Overall, an interesting discussion.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

The group had an interesting discussion about The Lace Reader. Some people in the group liked the book, while others did not like it. Those who did not like it complained that they had too hard a time keeping track where the characters were. Another complaint was the book was slowly building and then all the blocks came tumbling out at once at the end. One person said the book showed talent, but it seemed the author was in a hurry to finish it. Some said it read like a movie. Another complaint was the religious stereotypes of the fundamentalists in the book. People who enjoyed the book said it was a fun read, and that there the author gave subtle clues in the book to what was going to happen in the end. The big surprise for some readers was that Sophya aka as Towner never had a twin sister Lyndley that grew up with her. Lyndsey, her twin sister's correct name, died at birth. Lyndley was a split personality of Towner from the trauma she experienced as a child. She saw her mother beaten by her father, and she was sexually abused by her father, Cal. Towner meets a police detective Rafferty in the novel. One person said they were both walking wounded, which is why they would not be good for each other. Rafferty was a recovering alcoholic. Another said he was caring and protective of Towner. One person said he was as needy as Towner was weak. Some people thought Towner suffered from survivor's guilt from her baby twin sister's death. However, when Angela gave birth to her and Cal's baby, she named it Lyndsey, and seemed to Towner that Lyndsey finally had her chance to live. A very interesting discussion enjoyed by all.