Synopses & Reviews
Milk Glass Moon, the third book in Adriana Trigiani's bestselling Big Stone Gap series, continues the life story of Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney as she faces the challenges and changes of motherhood with her trademark humor and honesty. With twists as plentiful as those found on the holler roads of southwest Virginia, this story takes turns that will surprise and enthrall the reader.
Transporting us from Ave Maria's home in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Italian Alps, from New York City to the Tuscan countryside, Milk Glass Moon is the story of a shifting mother-daughter relationship, of a daughter's first love and a mother's heartbreak, of an enduring marriage that contains its own ongoing challenges, and of a community faced with seismic change.
All of Trigiani's beloved characters are back: Jack Mac, Ave Maria's true love, who is willing to gamble security for the unknown; her best friend and confidant, bandleader Theodore Tip-ton, who begins a new life in New York City; librarian and sexpert Iva Lou Wade Makin, who faces a life-or-death crisis. Meanwhile, surprises emerge in the blossoming of crusty cashier Fleeta Mullins, the maturing of mountain girl turned savvy businesswoman Pearl Grimes, and the return of Pete Rutledge, the handsome stranger who turned Ave Maria's world upside down in Big Cherry Holler.
In this rollicking hayride of upheaval and change, Ave Maria is led to places she never dreamed she would go, and to people who enter her life and rock its foundation. As Ave Maria reaches into the past to find answers to the present, readers will stay with her every step of the way, rooting for the onetime town spinster who embraced love and made a family. Milk Glass Moon is about the power of love and its abiding truth, and captures Trigiani at her most lyrical and heartfelt.
From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
Bestselling author Trigiani completes her successful "Big Stone Gap" trilogy with a compelling audiobook of a mother and daughter, the choices they confront together, and their struggles to let go. Abridged.
About the Author
Adriana Trigiani grew up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and now lives with her husband in New York City. In addition to being the bestselling author of Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, she is an award-winning playwright, television writer, and documentary filmmaker. She has written the screenplay for the film version of Big Stone Gap, which she will also direct.
From the Hardcover edition.
Reading Group Guide
1.
1.Milk Glass Moon is the final book in the
Big Stone Gap trilogy. Does it stand on its own as an individual novel? Which themes from
Big Stone Gap and
Big Cherry Holler carry over into
Milk Glass Moon? 2.What does the symbol of the milk glass moon signify? Also, through Ettas interest in astrology, Trigiani presents stars as prominent reoccurring images. What significance do the stars have in the novel?
3.Why does Ave Maria experiences so much friction with Etta, when they have had such a good relationship in the past? Do you think their problems arise from normal adolescence angst, or do they stem from deeper issues? How do you think Ave Maria and Ettas relationship would be if Ave Marias own mother were still alive?
4.Is Ave Maria too hard on Etta for her mistakes, in particular the coal and drinking incidents? Do you think she overreacts, given the fact that she had very different perceptions from the other characters, or is she justified in her decisions? How do you think Ave Marias actions would appear to the reader if she were portrayed in third person, without the inner dialogue we are privy to?
5.Ave Maria and Jacks display apparent differences in their reactions and outlooks throughout Milk Glass Moon, especially in the area of parenting. How do you think they have sustained their marriage? What sacrifices have they made for each other? Why does their marriage work?
6.When Ave Maria sees Pete in New York City, old feelings stir within her. Why does Trigiani bring Pete back into the picture? What do you think would have happened if Ave Maria had chosen Pete over Jack? How would their marriage be different? Do you think Ave Marias physical reactions to Pete are problematic?
7.Ave Maria describes Pete as being the only person who can see the girl in her. What does she mean? Which qualities in particular does Pete pull out of her? Would you pick comfort over excitement, like Ave Maria ultimately does, or vice-versa?
8.Ave Maria believes that its easier for women to have close relationships and intimate friendships than men. Do you agree with her? Given the history between Ave Maria and Pete, what do you think about Pete and Jacks friendship?
9.Ave Maria is presented with choices throughout the course of Milk Glass Moon; she is tugged between locations, men, and time frames. How do you think she goes about making decisions? If you were her, would you have made the same choices?
10.Ave Maria sometimes seems to be torn between her desire to live in a small town and her wish to explore the allure and excitement of places like New York City and Italy. Throughout the novel, Ave Maria explores the downsides as well as the upsides of living in a small town, and in certain moments, it appears that Ave Maria hasnt quite gotten over the difficulties she long ago experienced in her transition to a small town. Where do you think she ultimately belongs and feels most comfortable? Do you think she and Jack would be happy living in Italy, as their plan at the end of the novel suggests? What kind of environment are you most comfortable in, and why?
11.Does Ave Marias personality change when shes in a location other than Big Stone Gap? Which hidden qualities we dont usually see in her persona emerge?
12.Etta tells her mother that she knew she was meant to marry Stefano when she was eight years old. How do issues of fate and destiny play out in Milk Glass Moon? In general, do you think every event has a reason for happening?
13.According to Etta, Ave has trouble getting attached to people. Do you think her statement is true? What are some examples that either support or disagree with it?
14.Three different kinds of marriages are explored throughout the novel … those of Ave Maria and Jack, Iva Lou and Louis, and Etta and Stefano. How do they compare?
15.Throughout the course of three books, Ave clearly progresses through various encounters she never planned on facing. How do you think she has changed from the beginning of the trilogy? Which kind of strengths has she gained? Which personality traits has she held onto?
16.Does Trigiani wrap up everything neatly, or does she leave room for any future developments in Big Stone Gap world? Is there anything from these characters that you would like to see more of? Do the themes and characters situations in Milk Glass Moon come full circle or is anything left unresolved?
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Author Q&A
An author interview with Adriana Trigiani, conducted by Etta McChesney, age 11.
Etta: This is the first time I've ever interviewed anybody unless you count the time that I interviewed Mr. Zackie Wakin for the school paper.
Adriana: How did that go?
Etta: He gave me a tour of his store which was interesting. He was very funny. I hope you will be funny.
Adriana: I'll do my best.
Etta: Also at the end of the interview he gave me a free pair of silver flip flops.
Adriana: Let me see if I can't come up with some sort of parting gift.
Etta: It would only be right. Okay. My first question: do you feel you got all of your facts straight about the time that we ordered coal delivered to Miss Benton's yard?
Adriana: I'm pretty sure I did. What do you think?
Etta: You did pretty good.
Adriana: Thanks.
Etta: What's it like to write three books about the same person?
Adriana: Your mother is a very compelling character to me. So, it's a very fulfilling process to take the reader on a twenty year journey over three books. In Big Stone Gap, when we meet her for the first time, she is just beginning to open up her heart to the possibility of love, in Big Cherry Holler, she has to reinvent her marriage and her life, and in Milk Glass Moon, it's all about you, how she parents and juggles work and family. In a trilogy, the reader gets a long range view. Also, Ave Maria had a lot of deep experiences that my readers can relate to, and it was fun for them to see her grow over the long haul.
Etta: What does my mom learn in "Milk Glass Moon"?
Adriana: One of the hardest lessons we learn as grown ups is how to deal with change. Now, there are all kinds of change, some good, some very hard. When you have a baby, that changes your life, and though there are challenges, that's a good change. When there is death of a loved one, the process of that loved one's death and then the grieving are emotionally challenging. It is hard to adjust to the loss of someone you love. These are the themes of the book, and your mother as the central character takes us through these changes.
Etta: My mom hates change! It took her three and a half years to pick a new rug for the living room.
Adriana: So imagine how hard it is for her to see you growing up, each day you are moving towards the ultimate sacrifice of parenthood, which is turning to your child and saying goodbye as she makes her way out into the world. That's got to be tough, don't you think?
Etta: Probably. But I can't stay a kid forever either. That wouldn't work.
Adriana: No, it wouldn't. I have a question for you, if you don't mind.
Etta: Sure, but I'm probably not going to put it in the article.
Adriana: Fine. My question is: if you had to choose one thing about Italy that you like the best, what is it?
Etta: Straichetella gelato. It's soft vanilla ice cream with hunks of dark swiss chocolate in it. Kind of like if you smashed a brown mule ice cream bar they sell in the school cafeteria.
Adriana: Sounds delicious.
Etta: And you can only get it over there which makes it even better once you're over there and can have it. Can I have two things I like the best?
Adriana: Sure.
Etta: My grandpop. He's very cool and takes me everywhere when I visit.
Adriana: Excellent.
Etta: Thanks for the interview. If I think of anything else?
Adriana: You can email me.
Etta: Right!
From the Trade Paperback edition.