Seashell Season (40 page)
Authors: Holly Chamberlin
I'm very happy to say that Gemma's nascent artistic skills are advancing rapidly, and it thrills me to see how she embraces each step of the journey, understanding that failure is part of success and that nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.
Ain't that the truth!
I don't know if she'll pursue a career in artâthat's entirely up to herâbut I do hope she continues to live her life with art. Art makes life so much more bearable and meaningful.
That's something Alan could never understand.
What is there to say about Alan? He's made his bed and now he's lying in it. A harsh sentiment, but it's true, at least to a great extent. Alan's poor choicesâto the extent of which he was capable of making choices independent of his mental or emotional problemsâlanded him behind bars for the next ten years. We all live and die aloneâanother harsh realityâand in the end Alan will be the only one facing his truth head on, that he stole a child from her mother and deserved what he got in return.
Poor Marion is taking Alan's sentence badly, as any mother would, of course. But she's long since given up making excuses for him, and so I hope she can achieve some peace of mind soon. Gemma is good to her grandmother, visiting her once a week (mostly on her bike, as we're sharing one car at the moment), and getting her out of the house for walks and fresh air, not something Marion is likely to do on her own.
Gemma has also made a few friends here in Yorktide, and she sometimes hangs out with a girl named LaJuana, whose mother also teaches at YCC. Cathy, of course, is still in the picture, but as I suspected a year ago, before Gemma came home to stay, Cathy and her friends are just too different from Gemma to allow for a really close fit. As long as Annie's daughter and mine aren't tearing each other's hair out, all is good.
When I ask about boys, which I do on occasion, Gemma informs me I'll be the first to know if she's interested in someone but that I shouldn't hold my breath. Like I want her to get involved with a boy! No, I'm happy about her celibacy, believe me.
I'm happy about a lot of things.
For so long I thought I would never be able to say my life was whole, complete. But now it is. Whole. Complete.
Lovely.
I think I am quite possibly the most grateful person on this earth.
Please turn the page
for a very special Q & A
with Holly Chamberlin!
for a very special Q & A
with Holly Chamberlin!
Q. What made you decide to write about a teenage girl who had been kidnapped at infancy?
A.
My editor came across an article about a stolen child and he asked if it would be a topic I'd be interested in exploring. I said sure. I mean, talk about a subject ripe with opportunity. Once I started the preliminary research into cases of abducted children and the damage done to the family left behind, I was hooked. It's a fascinating and, unfortunately, an all too common crime.
My editor came across an article about a stolen child and he asked if it would be a topic I'd be interested in exploring. I said sure. I mean, talk about a subject ripe with opportunity. Once I started the preliminary research into cases of abducted children and the damage done to the family left behind, I was hooked. It's a fascinating and, unfortunately, an all too common crime.
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Q. Talk about your biggest challenge in telling this story.
A.
The biggest challenge was to make Verity, the mother, more than merely a sad and depressed victim. Yes, she spends every day since her baby was taken grieving her loss. But in order to be a compelling character, one with whom a reader actually wants to spend time, she also had to have an interesting and successful life. Equally as challenging for me was to make Gemma, the daughter, more than just a bundle of fury and rejection.
The biggest challenge was to make Verity, the mother, more than merely a sad and depressed victim. Yes, she spends every day since her baby was taken grieving her loss. But in order to be a compelling character, one with whom a reader actually wants to spend time, she also had to have an interesting and successful life. Equally as challenging for me was to make Gemma, the daughter, more than just a bundle of fury and rejection.
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Q. Gemma is tougher and more experienced, if not necessarily more mature, than most of the teen characters you've created in past books. And she's certainly lived a more difficult life, even going hungry at times. Was it fun to write her?
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A.
Maybe not fun, exactly, but I very much enjoyed creating Gemma. She's smart and a survivor. She's tough, yes, but she's basically a decent and caring person with a conscience. It was a challenge to show how her feelings for her father change from the time of his arrest to a year later, after his trial and sentencing. It was also a challenge to show how her feelings for her mother change over this period. As for Gemma's relationship with Ellen, her father's cousin, I wanted to show that while Gemma is savvy, she's still a child, susceptible to a cunning or even just a pushy adult, and full of self-doubt at the same time she's full of bravado. When Gemma decides to go off with Ellen and her husband, she really believes she's choosing the only path still open for her. She really believes on some level that she's to blame for the mess that is her life. Why? Because she's a vulnerable child who's been lied to consistently by the adult who raised her. Her sense of identity has been badly undermined. Frankly, my heart broke writing those chapters between the time Gemma declares that she's leaving Verity until the time she finds the strength to tell her mother that she wants to stay.
Maybe not fun, exactly, but I very much enjoyed creating Gemma. She's smart and a survivor. She's tough, yes, but she's basically a decent and caring person with a conscience. It was a challenge to show how her feelings for her father change from the time of his arrest to a year later, after his trial and sentencing. It was also a challenge to show how her feelings for her mother change over this period. As for Gemma's relationship with Ellen, her father's cousin, I wanted to show that while Gemma is savvy, she's still a child, susceptible to a cunning or even just a pushy adult, and full of self-doubt at the same time she's full of bravado. When Gemma decides to go off with Ellen and her husband, she really believes she's choosing the only path still open for her. She really believes on some level that she's to blame for the mess that is her life. Why? Because she's a vulnerable child who's been lied to consistently by the adult who raised her. Her sense of identity has been badly undermined. Frankly, my heart broke writing those chapters between the time Gemma declares that she's leaving Verity until the time she finds the strength to tell her mother that she wants to stay.
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Q. In
Seashell Season
you deal for the first time with a truly criminal character. What was it like creating Alan Burns, aka Jim Armstrong?
Seashell Season
you deal for the first time with a truly criminal character. What was it like creating Alan Burns, aka Jim Armstrong?
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A.
In spite of the fact that Alan's criminal behavior kick-starts the story, I don't see him as much a hardened criminal as I do a deeply weak and troubled man. Of course, what he did to Verity and to his mother amounts to a sort of psychological torture, and what he did to Gemmaâstealing her from her mother and creating an utterly false identity for herâis also terribly cruel. We never really know what prompted Alan to abduct his daughter in the first placeârevenge against Verity for leaving him, a genuine though delusional belief that she was going to hurt the baby, or a combination of bothâand that's because in my conception of him, Alan doesn't really understand his own motives.
In spite of the fact that Alan's criminal behavior kick-starts the story, I don't see him as much a hardened criminal as I do a deeply weak and troubled man. Of course, what he did to Verity and to his mother amounts to a sort of psychological torture, and what he did to Gemmaâstealing her from her mother and creating an utterly false identity for herâis also terribly cruel. We never really know what prompted Alan to abduct his daughter in the first placeârevenge against Verity for leaving him, a genuine though delusional belief that she was going to hurt the baby, or a combination of bothâand that's because in my conception of him, Alan doesn't really understand his own motives.
Q. What's next for Holly?
A.
Another novel! This one is set at Christmas and is called
The Season of Us
. I'm really excited to revisit the characters I introduced in
The Summer of Us
many years ago. So many readers have asked for a sequel to that book and now they'll have one! It will be available in November 2016.
Another novel! This one is set at Christmas and is called
The Season of Us
. I'm really excited to revisit the characters I introduced in
The Summer of Us
many years ago. So many readers have asked for a sequel to that book and now they'll have one! It will be available in November 2016.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
SEASHELL SEASON
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Holly Chamberlin
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ABOUT THIS GUIDE
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The suggested questions are included to enhance
your group's reading of Holly Chamberlin's
Seashell Season
!
your group's reading of Holly Chamberlin's
Seashell Season
!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
When her father is arrested and his crimes uncovered, Gemma is thrust into the middle of a full-blown identity crisis. When she explores the website her mother created in the interest of discovering her whereabouts, Gemma feels deeply disturbed by the imagined portraits of her through the years. Talk about how much of our identity is given to usâby family, culture, neighbors, and friendsâand how much is left for us to invent or discover. What part does a nameâgiven or chosenâplay in creating our identity? What is the true relation between Marni Armstrong and Gemma Peterson-Burns?
When her father is arrested and his crimes uncovered, Gemma is thrust into the middle of a full-blown identity crisis. When she explores the website her mother created in the interest of discovering her whereabouts, Gemma feels deeply disturbed by the imagined portraits of her through the years. Talk about how much of our identity is given to usâby family, culture, neighbors, and friendsâand how much is left for us to invent or discover. What part does a nameâgiven or chosenâplay in creating our identity? What is the true relation between Marni Armstrong and Gemma Peterson-Burns?
2.
Verity tells Gemma that the community of Yorktide has been invested in the story of her abduction since the start, and that it feels the need to celebrate her return. Talk about how communities react to local tragedies and triumphs, how a community feels ownership of its members for better or worse. When does genuine interest and concern on the part of one's neighbors become voyeurism and mere nosiness?
Verity tells Gemma that the community of Yorktide has been invested in the story of her abduction since the start, and that it feels the need to celebrate her return. Talk about how communities react to local tragedies and triumphs, how a community feels ownership of its members for better or worse. When does genuine interest and concern on the part of one's neighbors become voyeurism and mere nosiness?
3.
Verity describes Marion as an enabler, someone mired in the need to protect and keep secret the weaknesses of those they love. Talk about how Marion's behavior and choices regarding her husband might have negatively affected her son. If she had been honest with Alan about his father's history of mental breakdowns, might Alan have had a happier and more productive life? Do you believe that Marion had a duty to warn Verity about her son's problems when the two first started to date? When does a mother's loyalty to her child become a liability and a danger to others? Do you understand Marion's desire to have a relationship with her son, now in jail, even after the pain he caused her by his actions, including, in effect, his abandoning of her?
Verity describes Marion as an enabler, someone mired in the need to protect and keep secret the weaknesses of those they love. Talk about how Marion's behavior and choices regarding her husband might have negatively affected her son. If she had been honest with Alan about his father's history of mental breakdowns, might Alan have had a happier and more productive life? Do you believe that Marion had a duty to warn Verity about her son's problems when the two first started to date? When does a mother's loyalty to her child become a liability and a danger to others? Do you understand Marion's desire to have a relationship with her son, now in jail, even after the pain he caused her by his actions, including, in effect, his abandoning of her?
4.
In relation to the question above, do you think that Marion's revealing to Gemma her husband's mental fragility and her son's angry past regarding women was the right thing to do? Was it the right thing at the wrong time? Earlier Verity wonders if Gemma ever need know the extent of the Burns family's damage. How does Gemma's knowing the full story of Albert's and Alan's troubles affect her subsequent decisions, both good and bad?
In relation to the question above, do you think that Marion's revealing to Gemma her husband's mental fragility and her son's angry past regarding women was the right thing to do? Was it the right thing at the wrong time? Earlier Verity wonders if Gemma ever need know the extent of the Burns family's damage. How does Gemma's knowing the full story of Albert's and Alan's troubles affect her subsequent decisions, both good and bad?
5.
Verity often contemplates the question of nature versus nurture, one of life's greatest puzzles. Gemma wonders how much of a person's life is determined before birthâthat is to say, how influential a person's family history really is. Talk about how Verity and Gemma have been influenced by their parents' behaviors and about how they have tried, succeeded, and perhaps at times failed to overcome a negative legacyâor to have embraced a positive one.
Verity often contemplates the question of nature versus nurture, one of life's greatest puzzles. Gemma wonders how much of a person's life is determined before birthâthat is to say, how influential a person's family history really is. Talk about how Verity and Gemma have been influenced by their parents' behaviors and about how they have tried, succeeded, and perhaps at times failed to overcome a negative legacyâor to have embraced a positive one.
6.
Do you think Gemma makes a wise decision when she decides to continue contact with her father, or do you think it would have been smarter for her to cut him off and move on? Talk about Verity's decision to largely ignore her father since shortly after the abduction. Do you think she was at all justified? Consider Verity's decision to forgive Marion for her deceptions and to welcome her back into her life. How can one possibly know when the healthiest thing to do is to walk away from a familial relationship?
Do you think Gemma makes a wise decision when she decides to continue contact with her father, or do you think it would have been smarter for her to cut him off and move on? Talk about Verity's decision to largely ignore her father since shortly after the abduction. Do you think she was at all justified? Consider Verity's decision to forgive Marion for her deceptions and to welcome her back into her life. How can one possibly know when the healthiest thing to do is to walk away from a familial relationship?
7.
In relation to the question above: Is love still possible when like has turned to dislike? Gemma is no longer under any illusions about the extent of her father's oddity and she knows that he is not a man to be trusted or relied upon. Still, she has some fond memories of their years together, and she acknowledges his generally decent care of her. Are good memories perhaps enough to allow for a relationship to progress into the future?
In relation to the question above: Is love still possible when like has turned to dislike? Gemma is no longer under any illusions about the extent of her father's oddity and she knows that he is not a man to be trusted or relied upon. Still, she has some fond memories of their years together, and she acknowledges his generally decent care of her. Are good memories perhaps enough to allow for a relationship to progress into the future?
8.
Cathy and her friends seem like foreign creatures to Gemma, and she wonders where they derived their self-confidence, interests, and ambitions. She wonders if their energy and optimism are results of having grown up in a stable home where a child knows she can trust a parent completely. Talk about the notion of stability in the home ensuringâor not ensuringâa successful life. Consider that although Alan was not the most reassuringly stable parent, Gemma, long aware of this, is in many ways a strong and balanced young woman. Nature? An instinct for survival? Or was Alan's love for his daughterâas warped as it might have beenâenough to give Gemma the seed for a good and productive life?
Cathy and her friends seem like foreign creatures to Gemma, and she wonders where they derived their self-confidence, interests, and ambitions. She wonders if their energy and optimism are results of having grown up in a stable home where a child knows she can trust a parent completely. Talk about the notion of stability in the home ensuringâor not ensuringâa successful life. Consider that although Alan was not the most reassuringly stable parent, Gemma, long aware of this, is in many ways a strong and balanced young woman. Nature? An instinct for survival? Or was Alan's love for his daughterâas warped as it might have beenâenough to give Gemma the seed for a good and productive life?
9.
Talk about the possible motives behind Ellen Burns-Cassidy's desire to take on the educationâand the upbringingâof her cousin's daughter. When Gemma asks Ellen why she is being so generous, Ellen says that Gemma deserves this opportunityânot really an answer as to why Ellen feels she's the one who needs to provide it. Then, after Gemma declines the offer of a full ride at Greyson Academy, she asks again what prompted Ellen to pursue so close a relationship with her, a stranger. Ellen can't or won't answer. Do you think Ellen fully understands her own motives in inserting herself into Gemma's life? Verity and Gemma wonder what part Richard played in his wife's “scheme,” as David calls it. What do you think?
Talk about the possible motives behind Ellen Burns-Cassidy's desire to take on the educationâand the upbringingâof her cousin's daughter. When Gemma asks Ellen why she is being so generous, Ellen says that Gemma deserves this opportunityânot really an answer as to why Ellen feels she's the one who needs to provide it. Then, after Gemma declines the offer of a full ride at Greyson Academy, she asks again what prompted Ellen to pursue so close a relationship with her, a stranger. Ellen can't or won't answer. Do you think Ellen fully understands her own motives in inserting herself into Gemma's life? Verity and Gemma wonder what part Richard played in his wife's “scheme,” as David calls it. What do you think?
10.
Money is an important theme in the bookâhow too much can corrupt and too little can damage; the suspicion of its power and the desire for the relief and pleasures it can bring. Inherently, money is meaningless, its value determined only by what it can or cannot perform in the practical world. Talk about the role money plays in the lives of the main characters.
Money is an important theme in the bookâhow too much can corrupt and too little can damage; the suspicion of its power and the desire for the relief and pleasures it can bring. Inherently, money is meaningless, its value determined only by what it can or cannot perform in the practical world. Talk about the role money plays in the lives of the main characters.
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2016 by Elise Smith
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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eISBN-13: 978-1-4967-0153-4
eISBN-10: 1-4967-0153-4
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2016
eISBN-10: 1-4967-0153-4
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4967-0152-7
ISBN-10: 1-4967-0152-6
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