Book Club Discussion Questions for Earthbound
01. Earthbound is told through multiple voices across generations. How did hearing from different family members shape your understanding of Raymond Ballinger Sr. and his legacy?
02. Raymie describes the Homestead as the emotional anchor of the family. What does place mean in this story, and how does the loss of land affect identity across generations?
03. The book explores the tension between memory and truth. Which characters do you feel remembered events most honestly, and which ones may have reshaped the past?
04. Dad’s two marriages produced very different family experiences. How did his relationship with Clara differ from his relationship with Jean, and what did each reveal about his character?
05. The sisters — Ruth, Lois, and Ginny — each experienced their father differently. What do their varying accounts suggest about gender, farm life, and family expectations?
06. Raymie uses his work as an actor and method actor to process his relationship with his father. How did his artistic life become part of his personal search?
07. Jean Shuster’s story occupies a powerful section of the book. How did her perspective change your view of Dad, and how does the book treat her role in the family?
08. The title Earthbound carries multiple meanings. What does it mean to each of the major voices in the book, and what does it mean to you as a reader?
09. Larry, Leslie, and Sandy each carry wounds from their childhood. How did the children of Dad’s first marriage find — or fail to find — peace with their father?
10. Babette steps into the role of editor and narrator after Raymie’s death. How does her presence shape the book, and what does it mean to complete someone else’s life work?
Would you like Babette to visit your book club?
The author is honored to connect with readers. If your club is discussing Earthbound, please reach out for virtual appearances, Q&A sessions, or to share your club's reflections on the Ballinger family saga.