Synopses & Reviews
Victoria’s marriage is on the rocks, and she copes by daydreaming about fantasy men. But can these fantasies help fix her real life?
At age twenty-five, Victoria Chandler has a husband with a good job, a five-year-old daughter, Reese, and a house in the suburbs. She should be happy with her life. But she’s not. She suspects that her husband, Gerald, is having an affair, and she finds her loveless marriage a big disappointment. But Victoria stays married for the sake of her daughter. And to get by, she starts daydreaming about two fantasy men: James, a very handsome man she meets at a club, and Michael, a rock star.
As she ponders her attraction to these men, Victoria slowly realizes that her marriage to Gerald is doomed—they’re just not meant to be together. Inspired by the freedom that she exhibits in her fantasies, Victoria develops a plan to escape her marriage and create the reality that she’s always wanted.
Synopsis
Victoria's marriage is on the rocks, and she copes by daydreaming about fantasy men. But can these fantasies help her figure out how to fix her reality?
Reading Group Guide
The questions and discussion topics that follow are intended to enhance your group's reading of Darlene Johnson’s
Dream in Color. We hope they will provide new insights and ways of looking at this engaging new novel.
1. Victoria knows that she and Gerald are no longer in love. Based on Gerald’s actions toward Victoria, do you think that there was ever a time when they were in love? Do you think Gerald feels that Victoria “trapped” him by getting pregnant? Did she? Did Victoria and Gerald make the right decision to get married when Victoria found out that she was pregnant? Would you marry a man you didn’t love if you found out that you were pregnant with his child?
2. When Victoria dreams up James, she envisions him as being much younger than she is. James is barely seventeen when Victoria meets him. Why do you think Victoria fantasizes about a man so much younger than she is? Does Victoria do something morally wrong by dating James when she’s a teacher in his school district? Are there certain people whose attraction to each other transcends age?
3. Victoria sleeps with Michael a few hours after she meets him. The next morning, when she wakes up and he’s not there, she feels ashamed of her decision. Should Victoria had maintained her original conviction that she would not have a one night stand with Michael? Would it have been better for Victoria to have had one incredible night with Michael or never to have gotten involved with him? Given the chance, would you consider sleeping with a celebrity? With whom and under what circumstances?
4. When James’s parents find out that he’s dating an older woman, they are appalled. But, once they meet Victoria, they begin to accept the relationship. Do you think that James’s parents make the right decision? Why do you think they change their minds about the relationship after they meet Victoria? Should parents be able to determine whom their seventeen-year-old child dates? Is the child obligated to heed his parents’ wishes?
5. Victoria tells herself that Reese would be devastated if she and Gerald ever split up. Do you think this is true? Should two parents feel obligated to stay together for the sake of their child? Does Reese seem to notice that her parents don’t get along very well? How long do you think you can hide a failing marriage from a child?
6. Before Michael, Victoria had never dated a white man before. Then, suddenly, she finds herself falling in love with one. Why do you think Victoria changes her policy about dating white men when she meets Michael? Do you think that his incredible fame has anything to do with her decision? Are there any times when their relationship seems strained because Michael is white and Victoria is black? Would you consider being in an interracial relationship? Why or why not?
7. Victoria knows, almost from the very beginning, that Michael drinks and does drugs. When she asks him not to, he agrees to abstain in her presence. Is it right for Victoria to expect Michael to change his lifestyle for her? Are drinking and drugs just an inevitable part of a rock star’s life? After they’re married and Victoria finds out that Michael continues to do drugs, why does she tolerate it and stay with him? Would you stay in a relationship with someone who did drugs regularly? Do you think it’s possible to convince someone to stop doing drugs, as Victoria tries to convince Michael?
8. Victoria dreams up James and Michael as a way to cope with her failing marriage. Are these daydreams a healthy way for Victoria to escape the unhappiness in her marriage? Does Victoria get too wrapped up in her daydreams? Is it all right to fantasize about other men once you’re married? Have you daydreamed about other men? Would you ever let your spouse know about your daydreams?
9. Victoria finally realizes that she will never be happy if she stays with Gerald. So, she takes her daughter Reese and heads off to California. Do you think that Victoria will be able to make a fresh start? Is Victoria wrong to take off without telling Gerald about her plans? Do you think that Victoria leaves James and Michael behind for good when she heads to California? How do you think Reese will take such a sudden change in her life?
10. One of the most difficult parts of Victoria’s relationship with Michael is that they’re constantly followed by paparazzi. Is it possible for an international celebrity to maintain any kind of private life? Does the public have a right to know about the intimate details of celebrities’ lives? Is public scrutiny something that celebrities must learn to accept? Why do you think people are interested in celebrities’ personal lives? Do you follow the lives of any celebrities?
11. Even though Gerald doesn’t love Victoria, he’s proud that he makes enough money to support himself, Victoria, and Reese. Should Victoria be more appreciative of the fact that her husband pays for them to have a nice house in the suburbs? Would Victoria have left Gerald sooner if she had a good job and felt financially independent? Once you’re married, does it matter who makes more money? Is it all right for one partner to support the other, or should everything be split 50/50?