Spanning four decades in
the life of a tantalizingly unknowable man, Mrs. Kimble vividly portrays the
pain of unequal affections. In a voice that is neither maudlin nor sentimental,
Jennifer Haigh has crafted a debut novel that captures journeys of the heart in
a wholly original way. We hope that the following questions will enhance your
discussion of this provocative triumph in fiction.
1.
Consider the similarities and
differences among Birdie, Joan, and Dinah. Is there a common thread that
attracts Ken to each of them?
2.
Joan and Dinah have physical traits
that cause them to feel self-conscious and prone to rejection. Do you consider
Birdie's vulnerabilities to be equally physical in nature, or are they purely
emotional?
3.
What motivates Ken? In your
opinion, what enables him to so suddenly shift from being charming to vapid? To
what do you attribute his compulsive dishonesty?
4.
The novel's title reflects the
tradition of taking a husband's surname after marriage. All of Ken's wives
change their last names and become Mrs. Kimble. What does this indicate about
the tradition, gender, power, and identity in Ken's marriages?
5.
Birdie appears in all three parts
of the novel. What were your initial impressions of her? Did your opinion of
her shift as her life story unfolded?
6.
American society experienced
significant changes between the 1960s and the 1990s. Did this appear to affect
Ken's various marriages, or was his behavior consistent across the mores of all
decades?
7.
How might Birdie's life have been
different had her father not interfered with her attraction to Curtis Mabry?
What is the effect of the Mabry family's presence in the novel?
8.
Though the novel's characters are
for the most part indifferent to spirituality, religion provides a frequent
backdrop in Mrs. Kimble. What is the significance of Ken's Bible school
past? How did you react when he convinced Joan of his Jewish heritage?
9.
Do you believe that Ken's
abandonment of Birdie was the sole cause of her emotional breakdown? How might
her life have played out if he hadn't left her?
10.
How does Ken's departure affect his
children's attitude toward love? Do their relationships reflect or defy their
parents' example?
11.
Jennifer Haigh builds the storyline
of Mrs. Kimble around brief scenes rather than lengthy, uninterrupted
chapters. What is the effect of this technique?
12.
Ken is not the only predatory man
in the novel; Birdie is exploited by the mechanic she meets as a waitress, for
example. Do the novel's characterizations of men and women match your own
experience with the opposite sex?
13.
With which of Ken's wives were you
most able to relate? How would you have responded in each of their situations?
14.
Though Ken is the most obviously
secretive character in the novel, all of his wives possess a certain degree of
secrecy and denial. Do you believe that it's possible to lead a completely
honest life -- including self honesty?
15.
Ken is an enigma, yet his character
is drawn in rich detail. Discuss the significance of his vanity, his attraction
to younger women, and his apparent inability to love or show genuine affection.
What is the relevance of his conservative childhood, particularly the death of
his brother?
16.
Food is mentioned throughout the
novel, including Charlie's perpetual hunger as a child; Birdie's botched
attempts to buy groceries; Ken's aversion to seafood, which causes Joan to
tailor her menus; and Dinah's Thanksgiving reunion and culinary expertise.
Discuss some of your most meaningful memories regarding food.
17.
What makes Ken's cause of death
particularly ironic and fitting?
18.
While there are clearly three Mrs. Kimbles,
are there also three Mr. Kimbles? Does each wife represent a separate identity
for Ken?
19.
What variations on love (parental,
romantic, erotic) are presented in Mrs. Kimble? Which characters appear
to experience the most authentic forms of love?
20.
The novel
closes with Ken's children brought together by Dinah. Charlie embraces his role
as Brendan's big brother and father figure. What do you predict for the family
after Ken's death?
