Plain Pursuit

Reading Guides

Reading Group Guide

1. At the beginning of the story, Carley is forced to take a vacation because her editor believes she hasn’t come to terms with the accident and the death of her mother. Do you believe that is true? Why or why not? What would have happened to Carley if she had continued on her current path, never going to Lancaster County?
   
2. Early in the story, Lillian tries to talk to Carley about God. Carley’s not comfortable with the topic. Have you ever had a friend who tried to widen the scope of friendship by bringing up spiritual issues? Did you listen to what that person had to say? Or, if you were in Lillian’s shoes, how far would you push the issue in an effort for your friend to see that having a relationship with God can make a difference?
   
3. When Noah approaches the subject of God with Carley, she becomes agitated. However, each time Noah veers away from the subject, Carley comes back to it. Why do you think that is? Have you ever had a difficult time reaching out to God because you felt like He had let you down? If so, how did you resolve those feelings?
   
4. Carley judges Noah based, in part, on his profession. Have you ever judged someone based on their line of work, or the way they looked or dressed? Were opportunities missed because of your judgment? If so, in what way?
   
5. The Amish believe that shunning is a way to keep the church pure. It is not intended to be a punishment, but an opportunity for the person shunned to right his or her ways in the eyes of God. Do you feel this is a fair and acceptable practice? Or do you believe is it cruel? Should exceptions be made in certain cases? Have you ever been shunned by someone you love? Have you ever shunned someone?
   
6. When Noah falls into a coma, his family fears the possibilities, causing them to struggle between upholding the shunning and standing by their loved one. Have you ever held firmly to a belief, only to have it tested during a crisis? What if someone you had pushed away lapsed into a coma, or worse—died? What regrets would you have? Are there relationships in your life you need to take a look at while you still can?
   
7. Carley watches those around her put their faith in God, despite the challenges they face. In what ways did Carley’s life begin to change when she opened her heart to God? When she accepted that the plan she had for herself might not be the plan God had for her? Have you struggled with accepting God’s plan in your own life? In what ways?
   
8. Why was it so important to Samuel to find the letter Noah wrote him? What do you think would have happened if he hadn’t found it? Would he still have gone to the wedding? Why did he give the letter to Noah?
   
9. Carley finds self-healing when she focuses on the needs of others. In addition to getting the clinic ready, helping Lillian with household chores, and caring for Anna, how else did she help those around her? Did she help Samuel? Dana? Esther? What opportunities have you had to minister to yourself as you minister to others?
   
10. Members of the Old Order Amish community worry that they will be unequally yoked with outsiders. However, despite their beliefs, they still maintain relationships with several Englisch friends in the story. Have you ever felt unequally yoked with someone? Did you disregard your beliefs to help that person in a time of need or to allow a friendship to develop?
    
11. Lillian has everything Carley wants—a loving husband and beautiful family. Does Carley ever show signs of being envious? Or jealous? What is the difference between the two emotions? Have you ever envied someone you felt “had it all”? What did you do about it?
    
12. Carley is afraid to commit to a relationship with Noah, largely due to her breakup with Dalton. Would things have played out differently if Carley hadn’t been haunted by those bad memories of Dalton? Have you ever allowed events from the past influence your decisions?