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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Sweet Misfortune

1. Sophie’s past is littered with tragedy. Given what she’s been through, is her pessimism about the future justified? What tragedies have you faced in life, and how do they compare to Sophie’s? How did you manage to put the past behind you?

2. One of the ways Sophie grows as an individual is in learning to accept—and perhaps even embrace --- the bitter with the sweet. In real life, how hard is that to do? Have there been ‘misfortunes’ in your life that you’ve ended up being grateful for in the long run?

3. Garrett was out of Sophie’s life for an entire year before showing up unexpectedly at her store, having never told her why he left in the first place. Put yourself in Sophie’s shoes. Upon seeing him, how would you react? Would you give him a chance to explain himself? Would you still want to know why he left? Or would you try to get him out of the store as quickly as possible?

4. What do you make of Jim, the homeless man? At one point, in reference to people in their “shiny cars, driving to their big, warm houses,” Jim poses the question, “Are they happier than me?” Are they? At what point do you think wealth either contributes to or detracts from being happy?

5. On their first date, Garrett makes a distinction between a ‘romantic’ and a ‘hopeless romantic.’ Cynics might argue that any romantic is, by definition, hopeless. Do you agree with Garrett or the cynics? Or neither? Why?

6. Given what he learned about the past, was Garrett justified in calling off the wedding? What would you have done in this situation?

7. Why does Garrett fall for Sophie? Can you understand the attraction from his point of view? Given his previous knowledge of her, should he have been more forthcoming from the start? If not, at what point in their relationship should he have come clean?

8. Why does Evalynn fear motherhood? Do you think Ellen, her foster mom, was right in keeping certain things from her?

9. How are Sophie and Evalynn’s pasts similar? How are their reactions to the past different?

10. How does the character of Alex contribute to the overall theme of happiness? Do you have close association with someone who has Down Syndrome? What are your feelings about Alex and his role in the novel?

11. In what ways does Sophie change over the course of the story? In what ways does she stay the same?

12. When was the last time you had a fortune cookie? Did you read the fortune aloud to friends and family? Did you save it? What is the best fortune you have ever received in a fortune cookie? What would your reaction be if the next fortune cookie you ate contained one of Sophie’s misfortunes? What was your favorite misfortune, and why?

13. What is happiness?

Sweet Misfortune
by Kevin Alan Milne

  • Publication Date: June 10, 2010
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Center Street
  • ISBN-10: 1599952971
  • ISBN-13: 9781599952970