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About the San Quentin Exodus by Bill Smoot category
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0
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11
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July 30, 2026
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The prologue reveals that an escape attempt will be made. As you read the book, did you have a feeling as to whether the attempt would succeed? What made you feel that way?
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12
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57
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September 28, 2026
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Do you believe that James' sentence, the result of a plea deal, is just? If not, what would be a just sentence?
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9
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57
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September 28, 2026
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When James commits the act which results in his prison term, do you believe you would have done the same in that circumstance? At the instant it happened, were you with him or against him?
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14
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70
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September 28, 2026
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This a braided novel, following two very different characters whose paths don't cross until well past the halfway point of the story. What did you think of this aspect of the novel? Did you like it?
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16
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70
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September 28, 2026
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Did you ultimately find this novel uplifting or depressing ? Why?
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17
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102
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September 27, 2026
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If you had to choose one word to describe the author's writing style, what would it be?
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14
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89
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September 27, 2026
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Were there any minor characters you especially liked or identified with?
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7
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53
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September 27, 2026
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Which character did you like best? Which character did you most identify with? (These two questions may have the same answer, but not necessarily.)
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11
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58
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September 27, 2026
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Did the book have an overriding "message"? If so, what was it?
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5
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45
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September 27, 2026
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How has James changed by the end of the book? How has Allison changed?
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5
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42
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September 26, 2026
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Did James achieve redemption for his crime? If so, how was it achieved? Was the prison system an aid or a hindrance?
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3
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32
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September 26, 2026
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The author taught in the college program at San Quentin for 14 years. Before the publication date, he was fired from his (unpaid) position out of concern that he posed a security threat. Was this a justified position on the part of the prison?
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7
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49
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September 26, 2026
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Literature was important to both James and Allison. James sustained himself in prison by reading novels, and Allison became a literature major (and teacher). How important—if at all—has literature been to you?
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12
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62
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September 26, 2026
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Prisons are often depicted in movies and novels with savagely violent inmates, abusive guards, and corrupt prison officials. The two prisons depicted in this novel are much less dysfunctional. Do you feel this book painted a more truthful depiction?
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6
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37
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September 26, 2026
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What scene(s) will remain the longest and the most vivid in your memory?
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8
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55
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September 26, 2026
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Did Allison's journey toward coming out as a lesbian make her more likely to perform the extraordinary act of helping James?
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11
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58
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September 26, 2026
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Some have argued that a White author shouldn't write a point-of-view Black character, or similarly, authors shouldn't create characters outside their demographic. What's your opinion on this, both in general and regarding this novel in particular?
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12
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57
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September 25, 2026
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Allison plans a prison escape which would seem out of character to most who knows her. James acts out of character when he shoots Black Snake. Do you feel these actions are uncharacteristic, or do they align with what you know about Allison & James?
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6
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42
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September 25, 2026
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Our inborn character starts us on a path that is evident when we are young, but outside forces can divert us from our inborn destiny. What are the crucial moments at which external forces alter the course of the lives of Allison and James?
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3
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26
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September 25, 2026
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Did the novel change the way you see prisons or anything else?
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8
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56
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September 25, 2026
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Did any of the scenes move you to tears? To outrage?
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12
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66
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September 25, 2026
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