How do those encounters play out for the Garretts, and in your own family lore? In the novel, what is at the root of this quest for approval, and what motivates the naysaying?Ĩ. A recurring element in French Braid is the ritual of bringing home a romantic partner to meet the family. Are the cousins a reflection of their parents’ and grandparents’ legacies and personalities, or do they create a series of new beginnings? Ultimately, why don’t the cousins know one another very well?ħ. How did you react to the story of Desmond, the Motts’ cat?Ħ. How did the timeline in French Braid amplify the realism of the characters? How did cultural expectations for women evolve between Mercy’s generation and her children’s? What stayed the same, even in a new millennium?ĥ. Anne Tyler explores the nature of time and memory in much of her fiction. How did your perceptions of Mercy and Robin shift as the details of their marriage unfolded? Though Robin’s proposal included the plea, “If you can imagine us ever, ever divorcing, then I don’t want you to accept” (page 146), was there ever a time when he felt truly secure with Mercy, and with his in-laws?Ĥ. Which images stand out most clearly to you from the Garretts’ summer vacation? What lifelong pursuits were set in motion for Alice, Lily, and David during their time at the lakeside cabin? Share your defining memories from a childhood trip.ģ. What did you originally predict for Serena? What were your notions about why her family was so disconnected?Ģ. Revisit the novel’s first chapter, now that you know the full story.

The french braid anne tyler