Anthony placed me in the very capable editing hands of Mitchell Ivers, who steered me in new directions, and I welcomed his suggestions on how to give the story more depth. I consider myself quite lucky to have him as my editor.
During the year it took to write, re-write, revise, and re-write the book, my wife has had to endure my many moods. Sometimes she had to take the kids out of the house for weekends so I could focus. Often we would sit side by side for hours, going over each line and paragraph. She was a big part of helping move this project forward, and I’m grateful for her ideas and support.
Last, I must acknowledge the many book clubs, reviewers, librarians, readers, friends, clergy, ministers, pastors, and nuns whom I’ve corresponded with via email or phone, or met in person. Each and every one of you is a part of helping me forge this first book of the trilogy into what it is today—a story printed by one of the world’s top publishing houses. Your support and kindness will never be forgotten.
READING GROUP GUIDE
NECESSARY HEARTBREAK
INTRODUCTION
Necessary Heartbreak tells the story of Michael, a single dad from New York who has lost his faith after his wife’s death and is struggling to raise his feisty fourteen-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. When Michael and Elizabeth stumble upon a trapdoor in their church basement, they discover a portal leading back to first-century Jerusalem during the tumultuous last week of Christ’s life. There they encounter Leah, a grieving widow; a menacing soldier who is determined to take Elizabeth as his own; Judas on the last night of his life; and a close-up of the man Jesus. Unable to return to the present, Michael comes face-to-face with some of his most limiting beliefs and realizes he must open himself up to the possibility of a deeper faith in people, in himself, and in love if he is to find his way home.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Compare Michael and Elizabeth’s relationship with Michael’s relationship with his own father. How are their power struggles and communication difficulties similar and different?
2. Discuss Michael’s relationship with religion. What changed his once-strong faith? How is his belief in God different at the end of the novel? How do Elizabeth’s and Leah’s faith change throughout the novel?
3. Is Michael too overprotective, or just a concerned parent? Does Michael use his fear for Elizabeth to hold himself back from life? Why does he push people away?
4. Why does Michael consistently avoid women and feel almost uncomfortable with them? What is he afraid of? Why does he have so much trouble letting go of Vicki and moving on, going so far as to search for her in Jerusalem?
5. Talk about the different ways Michael and Elizabeth deal with losing Vicki. Throughout the story, they hide their emotions from each other. Why can’t they talk about her with each other? Why do they each blame themselves for her death, when clearly it’s neither one’s fault?
6. How did the narrative format of the novel, incorporating flashbacks throughout, impact your read?
7. Why does Leah take Michael and Elizabeth in so easily? How are they able to accept life together so quickly? What do they learn from each other? What do Michael and Leah see in each other of their missing spouses?
8. Leah and Michael discuss having a “reverence for life,” in both Leah’s time and Michael’s. Michael admits that not much has changed. Reread the passage on pages 157–158 and talk about how the two cultures respect life.
9. Discuss the difference between “kill” and “sacrifice.” Why does Leah ultimately decide not to sacrifice Cassie? What does Elizabeth learn from Cassie? Discuss Cassie’s significance to the story and what she symbolizes.
10. What does Michael make Leah believe?
11. How is the second time Michael denies Christ different from the first?
12. Why do Michael and Elizabeth keep finding excuses to stay in Jerusalem one more day? Is it because they’re drawn to Jesus or do you see another reason?
13. Why are Michael and Elizabeth so intent on helping Jesus even though they know how the scene will play out? Why must Michael shoulder his burden? How can Elizabeth lift Michael’s burden?
14. How does Leah break through Michael’s fa?ade? Why doesn’t he ask her to come home with them? Did you like the ending of the book? Why or why not?
15. How does heartbreak shape each character? Do you agree with the title, that heartbreak is sometimes necessary?
ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB
1. When Michael is a teen, he repeatedly listens to Bruce Springsteen’s album The River and relates especially to the song “Independence Day.” Listen to that song or just look up the lyrics. Is there a song in your own life that has particularly resonated with you or helped you through a difficult situation? Share with your book club.
2. Leah shares a Passover feast with Michael and Liz. Research the history of Passover and try making some dishes for your own feast, such as charoset and matzos.
3. Read the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in the New Testament of the Bible. How do the descriptions in Necessary Heartbreak change your impressions of those events?
AUTHOR Q&A
1. What inspired you to write this story, mixing time travel with ancient times and customs? I grew up with a romantic, idealistic view of the church. Over the course of many years, this view eroded, especially during the winter of 1983–84. I was without money and a roof over my head, riding the E train in New York City at night. I sought help from many, including a family friend who helped run a church. He turned me back into the cold New Year’s Eve night in 1983. As I sat on the train pondering, I started to write this novel, drawing on some of the key childhood experiences that still touch my soul today. And I wondered whether this was the church I wanted to be part of in the future. I found myself questioning the wrong person—Jesus Christ. So I wanted to send my characters back in time to restore the meaning of life to myself. I wanted my characters to be part of history’s most important moment. I wanted them to experience what the true meanings of love, faith, and sacrifice really are.
2. Tell us about your research on Roman and Biblical times. How much is real and how much is enhanced by your imagination? I tried to stay faithful to the actual events, but I wanted to look at those events from the perspectives of the characters. My first editor, Jenn Kujawski, was instrumental in the research. We dedicated many weeks, even months, to this particular part of the process. The great benefit of this experience was that I learned so much about Jesus Christ, the person.
3. Can you tell us about your personal faith? It continues to evolve. I’m human. I question certain aspects of it. As I go along in these books, I learn more through the research process. I continue to gather a greater understanding of what an incredible role model Jesus is for me and for anyone else. Has your faith ever faltered, like Michael’s? Yes, many times. It was at an all-time low after I watched my mother die from cancer at the age of forty-seven. She suffered so greatly, and I wondered why she had to endure so much pain at such a young age.
4. Michael and Elizabeth both have rather volatile relationships with their fathers. How were you able to capture teen angst so well? I have two daughters myself. As they get older, they become more independent emotionally. I utilized some real-life experiences and allowed them to unfold on the page.