Introduction

Innisfree—the wild and isolated land on Chappaquiddick Island where Josiah Monroe grew up—was the only place where he felt he belonged. When his parents make the painful decision to sell the land, the loss of Innisfree catapults the entire family into a spiral of disconnection. Josiah abandons the island in anger, seeking to redefine himself and reconcile his mixed Wampanoag and Irish heritage in a wider, more dangerous world marked by the turmoil of the Vietnam War and the cultural upheaval of the Sixties. His family struggles not only with Josiah’s alienation but also with the debilitating polio suffered by his sister, Izzy. At the same time, the new owner of Innisfree becomes a force driving them apart. Ultimately, it is the power and magic of the island itself and the bonds of family that call them back to one another.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

“I have walked and prayed for this young child”
Mae

Mae was shucking quahogs on the wooden table behind the Boat House Café when she saw the tall, athletic woman shepherding three children along the path that led from East Beach. The children, two boys and a girl, looked to be around Jo and Izzy’s ages; and like her own children, they were bursting with pent-up energy after being cooped up inside after three days of unrelenting rain. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Although Josiah’s decision to leave home is precipitated by the sale of Innisfree, it is the “missing piece” of his history rather than missing the land that drives his journey. Do you think the conflict he feels between his Irish and Wampanoag heritages is understandable? Was Sadie right when she warned Tobias that Josiah would chose the dominant white culture? Does the outside world view Josiah as a white man?

2. Although The Uneven Road is essentially the tale of Josiah’s search not only for the Keaneys but for his identity, the story is told from the point of view of each member of the Monroe family. Why do you think the author chose to use multiple points of view? Did that work for you?

3. What impact do you think the turbulence of the 1960s—the Vietnam War, cultural changes, political activism—had on Josiah’s journey to manhood?

4. Which character did you identify with or sympathize with or react against? What reasons are there for your reaction?

5. One of the themes recurring in both Book One and Book Two is the strength and support provided by women’s friendships. What does Lydia bring to the bond between her and Mae? Why is the friendship so fraught for both of them—not only because of the incident with Tobias but also because of Innisfree?

6. Do you think Mae was justified not only in keeping her distance from her family in Boston but also banishing any mention of them to her children? How did that choice affect not only her, but her siblings and her children? What would you have done?

Weblinks

»	Author's web site
»	Author tour info
»	In the kitchen with the author
»	Publisher's Book Info
»	About the Author

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews

There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book