LAND OF A HUNDRED WONDERS

 Lesley Kagen is a writer, actress, voice-over talent and restaurateur. The owner of Restaurant Hama, one of Milwaukee’s top restaurants, Ms. Kagen lives with her husband in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. She has two children. Visit her website at lesleykagen.com

Want the author to chat with your book club? Email Melissa Broder at Melissa.Broder@us.penguingroup.com for more information.

“A truly enjoyable read from cover to cover….Miss Kagen’s moving portrayal of a unique young woman finding her way in a time of change will touch your heart. And that, dear reader, is Quite Right indeed.” —Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

“Kagen’s winsome second novel (after Whistling in the Dark) offers laughter and bittersweet sighs.” —Publishers Weekly

“I’ve been a Lesley Kagen fan ever since I read her beautifully rendered debut, Whistling in the Dark. Here she adds to what is shaping up to be her greatest strength as a novelist: She creates a most unusual narrator whose quirky innocence and frankness reveal more story than she is aware she’s telling; it’s deftly done and endlessly sweet. Set against the volatile backdrop of the small-town south of the 1970s, Land of a Hundred Wonders is by turns sensitive and rowdy, peopled with larger-than-life characters who are sure to make their own tender path into your heart.”
—Joshilyn Jackson, author of Gods in Alabama and The Girl Who Stopped Swimming

“Lesley Kagen has crafted a story that is poignant, compelling, hilarious, real, and absolutely lovely. Her characters are enchanting and will have you racing to the end of this terrific novel.” —Kris Radish, author of Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA

As a result of her brain injury, Gibby interprets the world in a slightly different way than the rest of us do. For instance, the filter that “normal” people employ to keep themselves from saying things that are “inappropriate” is not fully functioning in Gib’s brain. Do you ever wish you could be as honest as she is?

What is a miracle? Gibby believes. Do you?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small rural town like Cray Ridge?

Life has given every major character in the book lemons. Have they successfully made lemonade?

We all experience painful loss in our lives. Do you believe the adage “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”?

Gibby’s relationship with her departed mama is as alive as her other relationships. Do you believe in life after death?

Much of the relationship between Gibby and her grampa is based on his desire to keep her safe. How do you balance your need to keep your children out of harm’s way and yet encourage them to be brave?

Clever is a wild child. What do you envision her future to be?

Many of Gibby’s observations of the “colored” characters in the book would now be considered politically incorrect. What do you think of political correctness? Does it at times keep us further apart rather than bring us together?

How do you think the Vietnam War affected us as a country? On a personal level? Were you supportive or did you protest? Why?

Gibby finds spiritual solace at Land of a Hundred Wonders. How do you nourish your soul?

The relationship between Gibby and Clever is at times adversarial yet you sense that they’d defend each other to the end. Although not related by blood, the two of them function as sisters. Does your relationship with your sister at all resemble the characters’? Do you have a friend with whom you have this sort of relationship?

In keeping with the old-­time cowboy theme, a few of the characters in the book are stereotypically black-­hatted. Do you think people can be born evil or do they behave this way as a result of their experiences?

Gib endows Keeper with almost magical powers. Why do you think that is?

Miss Lydia is a complex character. Discuss her function within the story.

Gibby’s memory, or the lack of it, plays a substantial role in the novel. Can you imagine what it would be like to lose your memory? How much of who we are is based on our past?

As Gibby says, “Hope springs internal.” Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt you would not have had the courage to go on without the belief in a hopeful outcome?

Janice Lever surprises us in the end. Have you ever known anyone whom you believed to be of questionable virtues do a complete turnaround?

At one point in the story, Gibby dispenses eye-­for-­an-­eye justice and is not punished for her actions. Did you find this righteous or offensive?

Certain relationships within the story were considered taboo during the early seventies. Do you think times have changed?