WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKTHROUGH

Ruth Pennebaker lives in Austin, with her mad-scientist husband, the scattered memorabilia of their adult daughter and son, and a neutered cat named Lefty. Her hobbies are reading, yoga, social criticism, and free-form worrying. A card-carrying member of the Chickasaw Nation, Ms. Pennebaker was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, close to a refinery. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Eckerd College and, for reasons that now elude her, a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.

“A laugh-out-loud romp through a household populated by three generations of women.” —Sarah Bird

“Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough may remind you why your family drives you bananas, but it’ll also make you remember why you love them so much you never stop coming back for more.” —Robert Leleux, author of The Memoirs of a

Beautiful Boy

“I really cared about these people, and you will too.” —Margo Howard, author of Ann Landers in Her Own Words: Personal Letters to Her Daughter

Why did Joanie feel the need to tell Caroline that Richard and B.J. are expecting a baby instead of letting Richard tell his daughter himself? How did Richard react to the news that Joanie told Caroline before he had a chance to and was his reaction justified?

Ivy knows it’s wrong to have a favorite child, yet she admits to herself that David is her favorite, despite the fact that Joanie is the one who took her in. What does this say about Ivy? What reasons does she give for considering David her favorite even though she barely talks to him and her daughter is the one who is caring for her in her old age?

When Nadine and Joanie are talking about men and their relationships with their mothers, Joanie recalls that when she first started dating Richard, he bought his mom a particularly large bouquet for Mother’s Day. She learned that it was because Richard’s father had just left his mother for a more exciting life and Joanie reflects on how Richard turned into his father. How does this story offer insight into their relationship? Was Richard’s family situation foreshowing and if so, why was it still so shocking to Joanie that Richard left her for a more exciting life?

What was Ivy feeling when the woman in the clothing store made rude comments to her? In what ways did this perpetuate Ivy’s feelings of uselessness, of irrelevance? Is this an accurate depiction of how we treat older women in society?

When Joanie blows up at Ivy during dinner, they are each handling the argument very differently. How is this a clarifying moment of how different generations handle hard situations?

What were the reasons for Ivy befriending Lupe? Was it completely out of loneliness or was she trying to reach out beyond her comfort zone and find out more about a person who is so different from her (Hispanic, a working mother, etc.)? Why did she care so much about Lupe and why was she so devastated by her sudden departure?

How did Joanie’s reaction to Caroline and Sondra dying their hair prove that she relates to Caroline more than Caroline thinks? How does it show she’s in touch with her daughter and why was Joanie herself surprised at her own reaction?

Do you think that Caroline and Sondra’s rebellious activity—smoking cigarettes and marijuana and dying their hair—is indicative of dangerous behavior? Or are they just being rebellious? Do you feel they will eventually get over this phase once they get more comfortable with themselves or are they heading down a bad path?

Are all the reasons Joanie gives for not getting back out there and dating again after the divorce really just excuses? Is her reluctance really just because she’s afraid, reluctant to try something new or do you believe that she is still healing and needs to take this time to herself?

Ivy starts acting out in strange ways. She lies to the church receptionist about Myra and Francine hating flowers, she shoplifts and she gets thrown out of the diner. What is the reason for this behavior? Why is she suddenly doing things she normally wouldn’t do?

What is going through Ivy’s mind when she breaks down in the doctor’s office? She hasn’t cried like that in years, maybe even ever. What was it about being in that situation and having the doctor act her so tender towards her that made her break down?

When B.J. called Caroline’s house and needed her help, was it surprising how much Caroline cared? She even interrupted her mom’s 50th birthday celebration to help her help B.J. Why does Caroline care so much? Why is she suddenly so concerned for B.J.’s well-being and whether or not she is scared or lonely?

After Caroline realizes that Henry is just interested in her because she is smart and will help him in school, she isn’t sad or crushed. In fact, she realizes that she needs to change and looks forward to it. How does this show incredible insight for a 15 year-old girl?

At the end of the book, do you feel that all three women are on their way to being ok? Are they all in a better place emotionally than they were at the beginning of the book? What incidents or events happened to make you feel one way or another?