Possible Pick: The Map of True Places
Posted by: Rebecca Vnuk
The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry is the story of Zee, a psychologist, who has just lost a bipolar patient to suicide. This hits too close to home – Zee’s mother also suffered from bipolar disorder and committed suicide when Zee was younger. Needing a break from her life, Zee escapes to Salem, Massachusetts to take care of her father, who is rapidly deteriorating from Parkinson’s. He has kicked out his long-time partner, Melville, and is unable to live alone any longer.
Zee uncovers family secrets, comes to terms with many issues in her life, and Barry even gives us some great plot twists at the end.
I found myself really caring about these characters and what was going to happen to them. I think that discussion groups would find a rich trove of issues to discuss in this novel, from families to mental health to secrets everyone keeps.
A discussion guide can be found on the author’s website at http://www.brunoniabarry.com/blog/the-map-of-true-places-reading-guide/.
(Note: This is a new-ish title (May 2010), so some groups may have to wait for it.)
