Annie tells Grace she thinks people are a little like Russian dolls, with each new experience adding another shell. What did you think of this imagery? Did it ring true to you?

Book Clubs The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey Discussion
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Annie tells Grace she thinks people are a little like Russian dolls, with each new experience adding another shell. What did you think of this imagery? Did it ring true to you?

2

I thought the imagery was spot on. We have the outer shell we present to the world; the next inner layer for our associates; then the “doll” our besties know: leaving the inner one we share with a partner, and at the core our true self.

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3

Yes, I agree with Gwen. As we grow older and experience more of life, we add layers, or shells. Maybe we are like onions!

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4

I highlighted this passage and love the comparison. The idea that we don’t leave our past selves behind but instead build upon them is a kind and caring way to look inward.

5

I had never thought of it that way before I read that passage. And Yes, I think we all try to protect ourselves from hurts and bad experiences and that’s what makes having a new friend hard. It’s easier to hid than trust getting hurt.

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6

I love this imagery and agree with the other responders.

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I agree also. I had not thought of it this way before, but I found this imagery very touching and true.

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I resonate with this image. I carry with me all the different personas I’ve been through the years. I grow and change, but at the core I am still me. Sometimes I marvel at how different I am from the shy little girl of 65 years ago and sometimes I feel just like she did!

9

I highlighted this passage. It gave me a lot to think about. I have some Russian Dolls Santa’s and now they will remind me of this description each year at Christmas.

10

I liked that imagery. We have so many layers which contribute to the person we are, and how we interpret the world. New experiences might change the content of the layers. We gain new experiences through the books we read so I believe they also contribute to our layers, both in beliefs and actions. A book can change your life!

11

I thought the Russian Dolls was a great visual. We all have a certain image we portray to most people. But we all have layers beneath that image that have been created through our life experiences. There are only a few people that have seen all my layers and those are my people who don’t judge and love me no matter what.

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I had never thought of that idea but it makes so much sense. I’ve actually used the concept when I’m not doing well and need to find something positive to hold on to. I have experienced so many different phases, some enriching some not so much. I can’t say that I’ve always been true to my core self, but the doll concept helps me find it. Thank you Kate Storey for this insight.

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I think the imagery did ring true. We are all much more than we appear judging from just our outside layers. As we go through life, our experiences build and change us in many ways. The author showed this with each of her characters from the oldest to the youngest.

14

I loved that image. People have “faces” and “sides” that only expose to some people. If i can “see” several sides or faces of a person, I know that person has opened themselves up to me in a special way anad I am honored. I’m pretty sure I have several faces (teacher, neighbor, close friend, book group friend, church friend and more).

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I agree with Gwen C – the person we show to the world is very different than the person we show to our best friends

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I likewise as several reviewers have said hadn’t thought of that before. We all are layers of ourselves evolving over time.

17

While the imagery of Matroyska dolls was very vivid and fit perfectly as Grace recalled what Annie said. At the same time, the imagery prompted some sadness. Annie’s reflection that the dolls are slotted inside one another made me think of the ease with which one can close off oneself from others. I couldn’t but wonder what the book group discussion might have been if Annie has used the analogy of a flower bud, with each petal slowly opening to share more of the person contained within the bud. Though the flower bud would not have fit in very well with Annie’s acknowledgement (on the next page) that she’d consider everyone’s dolls, the petals of a bud opening up feels a bit less constrained and inhibited.

18

Great imagery. Our experiences throughout life definitely shape and change us.