COVER DESIGN: Chasing Mayflies is about a race against time to achieve forgiveness and redemption. The cover art features an hourglass but replaces the grains of sand with mayflies- alive on top and dead on the bottom. "They live for today but make you remember them forever." The colors chosen for the cover are symbolic: red signifies urgency, black represents death but the primary background color is yellow promising new life.
Book Club Questions (LitLover format augmented by Author Vincent Donovan)
1. How did you experience the book? Were you engaged immediately, or did it take you a while to "get into it"? How did you feel reading it—amused, sad, conflicted…? Did you laugh, cry and laugh again?
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2. Describe the main characters—personality traits, motivations, and inner qualities.
• Which characters resonated with you?
• Did you identify more with Jack with his “foot on the accelerator†outlook or Dennis who tended to over-think things? Both had baggage: Jack’s gambling addiction, Dennis’ obsession with Jean Bradley. But consider how they are also alike. At first glance it would appear they are opposites – just another odd couple. But as the story unfolds the reader discovers each were impacted by events which changed them. With Jack it was Vietnam which made him rash; Dennis had a breakdown after the death of Jean Bradley which turned him pensive.
• Discuss the love of Sarah, Merriam and Kate, the complexity of M.B., the selfishness of Stu.
• Compare/contrast the different health care workers. Have you had similar experiences of indifference?
• Do any of the characters remind you of people you know? If this was a movie who would play the leading roles?
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3. Are the main character’s dynamic—changing or maturing by the end of the book? Do they learn more about themselves? Do you think Dennis will be successful in maintaining his new action-oriented perspective long term?
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4. Discuss the plot:
• Discuss how this adventure mirror’s a hero’s journey.
• Is this a plot-driven book—a fast-paced page-turner?
• Were you surprised by complications, twists & turns?
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5. Talk about the book's structure.
• Why might the author have chosen to balance such a bittersweet story with humor?
• What difference does the structure make in the way you read or understand the book? (For example, discuss how the flashback scenes unveiled the baggage Dennis carried.)
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6. What main ideas—themes—does the author explore? How does the author use symbols to reinforce the main ideas?
• Is it better to keep regrets buried or unearth them?
• How was forgiveness achieved?
• Discuss the idea there’s beauty when you have the courage to turn things upside down. (Reference Joseph Wheelwright’s tree people sculptures)
• Discuss the spiritual awakening of Jack and how was it reinforced by the tattoo of an upside down cross. How was Jack’s spiritual awakening transferred to Dennis?
• How does music (popular songs) add texture and a reference point for this story and each generation?
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7. What passages strike you as insightful? Perhaps a bit of dialog that's funny or poignant or that encapsulates a character? Maybe there's a particular comment that states the book's thematic concerns?
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8. Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not...and how would you change it?
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9. If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
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10. So much of end-of-life themes tend to be tales of self-absorption. How was this story different? Has this novel changed you—broadened your perspective? How would you react if a friend/family member asked you to help them despite the risks?
