Bartlett's Rule Book Club Discussion Topics

Bartlett’s Rule shares the story of Lon and Paige’s love affair; a romance filled with hardship, emotion, danger and triumph. Falling in love was never the challenge; being there for each other, knowing just what to say and making it work is the real test. Paige and Lon are “real”; they are human, they cry and they laugh. Paige has to learn to trust. Lon has to learn to be patient.

From the introduction:
When Paige Andrews is given the assignment of courting a famous writer for the publishing company she works for, she meets and entices the sexy, charming and thoroughly dangerous womanizer, Lon Bartlett.

Lon immediately takes a not-so-professional, personal interest in the young woman and pursues her. Lon is thrilled when Paige finally succumbs to his charms only to find that her haunting past sets off a terrifying reaction. Lon learns a heartbreaking reality - Paige is a rape survivor.

Will Lon be able to change his womanizing ways? Will he want to? Will Paige ever learn to trust again? Can they learn to love and live, together?

Discussion Starters for Bartlett’s Rule by Chelle Cordero

1. How does Bartlett’s Rule explore the two distinct personalities of the main characters?
2. Discuss how the different personalities emerge in the beginning of the novel. Do these personalities stay constant?
3. How much do you think society’s expectations influenced Lon towards building his reputation as a player?
4. What pressures does society place on men in relationships? How different are those pressures now in 2008 as opposed to, let’s say, the 1950’s?
5. Lon admits he has to rethink his view of rape when he learns that Paige was raped by an ex-lover and not a stranger with a weapon. Discuss different concepts of what is rape, what is sexual abuse?
6. Have a discussion about Paige’s emotional scars and the trust she felt was betrayed. Should Paige “just get over it”? How realistic are some of her reactions? Was Paige allowing herself to move ahead? Discuss Lon’s support of her.
7. Hal attempts to blame people like Lon for the way he treated Paige. How does TV/music/movies/novels affect actions and at what point is the individual responsible for his/her own actions? For example, courtroom dramas like to blame the influence of TV, etc. for today’s violence.
8. Some TV/radio/print personalities enjoy an almost cult following and are considered “experts” in their various fields. Discuss some of these self-proclaimed “experts”: Dr. Ruth, Oprah, Dr. Phil, Geraldo, etc. Do these ‘stars’ sensationalize rape? How so?
9. How do you think you would feel if your private life, particularly romance, was scrutinized by the paparazzi? How much does a public figure owe to the public and fans in terms of privacy? How much does the media have the right to report?

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Bartlett's Rule is also available as an E-Book

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED READING

To Dance Amongst the Stars – A Journey of Healing and Hope by Namid
To Dance Amongst the Stars is written to share the author’s trials and triumphs of surviving and overcoming a lifetime of sexual abuse and abusive relationships, in the hopes that other abused women can find strength and hope in her story.
The very personal and extremely empowering tone and style is definitely meant to share the struggle and the resolutions for anyone who has been abused or loves someone who is a survivor of abuse.
The author says, “I used my own experience to reach out to other rape survivors. The wording may not be the most flowery, but I hope that by reading my experience in going through the healing process, others can begin to heal. I hope that people can draw something good from my experiences.”
$12.95 ISBN-13: 978-0-9814739-4-9 Vanilla Heart Publishing

A Guide to Survivorhood: Your Personal Journey of Healing and Hope by Namid
This workbook will help guide survivors and the people who love them through the often difficult journey to regain empowerment and self-esteem after sexual assault. Loaded with guided exercises, examples, resources, and discussions, the workbook gives the survivor the tools to rebuild a happy, whole and healthy self.
$12.95 ISBN-13: 978-0-9814739-9-7 Vanilla Heart Publishing

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda Sordino suffers through her freshman year at Merryweather High School in silence. Gradually, readers become aware that Melinda is spiraling out of control as she becomes mute and loses interest in herself, her family, and school. Why? She was raped at a party…
$8.99 ISBN: 9780141310886 Puffin

The Story of Jane Doe: a Book About Rape by Jane Doe
“The Story of Jane Doe is a startling document about a woman who was not willing to play the standard role of victim, a woman who brought attention to how rape was being handled by the police force, the legal system and, more important, by society. I found this book to be a thoroughly engrossing, intelligent account of rape, and I must say quite an eye-opener to boot.” -- The Edmonton Journal”
ISBN 978-0-6793127-5-8 Random House of Canada, Limited