Synopses & Reviews
It was just an argument, one of hundreds Daisy Tucker must have had with her teenage daughter, Sage, over the years. But this one had ended differently, with Sage gone from their Connecticut home the next morning, leaving behind only a brief note: I have to go. Daisy tried not to overreact, tried to remind herself this was different from what had happened thirteen years earlier to Sage's twin brother, Jake. This was different from a three-year-old boy disappearing in the canyons of Wyoming, never to be found. Sage was sixteen and resourceful. She would be found.
Years ago Daisy had traveled to Wyoming's Wind River Mountains in search of inspiration for her art and had found a man with the wilderness inside him. James Tucker was a rancher, bound to the wild land he loved, and together he and Daisy created a small paradise for their family--until the day their little boy vanished without a trace. Now, as their daughter makes a dangerous cross-country pilgrimage to the father she longs for, Daisy will return to the place that took everything she had....
Filled with a wild and unpredictable beauty, Dream Country is a novel you'll never want to end--even as you can't wait to finish it.
Synopsis
On the heels of her triumphant "New York Times"-bestseller "Cloud Nine," Rice draws readers into the sweeping, unforgettable story of a family's search for hope, faith, and love to bridge the years that have held them apart.
About the Author
Luanne Rice is the author, most recently, of Last Kiss and Light of the Moon, among many other New York Times bestsellers. She lives in New York City and on the Connecticut shore.
Reading Group Guide
A novel filled with tender reunions and poignant turns of fate,
Dream Country showcases the storytelling power of bestselling novelist Luanne Rice at her finest. Daisy and James Tucker faced every parent’s worst fear: thirteen years ago when, their little boy vanished, disappearing into the canyons of Wyoming, never to be found. The devastating loss shattered his family. James stayed in the west, hoping that his son might be found again. Daisy settled in Connecticut, raising their remaining child, Sage’s twin sister, Sage. Now, hiding a startling secret, sixteen-year-old Sage has disappeared too, setting off on a dangerous cross-country journey in search of safe harbor with her father and the rugged land he calls home. As she nears her destination, Sage’s pilgrimage becomes a remarkable story of survival and redemption—and the miracles that can make a family whole again.
The questions and discussion topics that follow are intended to enhance your reading of Luanne Rice’s Dream Country. We hope they will enrich your experience of this mesmerizing novel.
1. Discuss the novel’s title. What dreams and hopes do the characters share? What keeps their dreams alive?
2. What makes Daisy unusual among single moms? How does her relationship with Sage compare to Ben’s relationship with his mother? Does Daisy nurture Sage’s ability to take care of herself?
3. How do Sage’s feelings about her father change throughout the novel? Is her image of him realistic?
4. What legacy of young love does Daisy pass on to Sage? What aspects of Daisy’s past does she see in her daughter?
5. What is Louisa’s role in the characters’ lives? What makes her a unique source of wisdom? How does she compare to the recollections Daisy has of her own parents?
6. What does Wyoming represent to Daisy and Sage? How does the landscape of Wyoming compare to Connecticut? How do these two settings reflect the characters’ identities?
7. What is the significance of Daisy’s jewelry, and her belief that in some way she is giving her love away with each piece? What powers do you believe her jewelry possesses? How does her understanding of the spirit world echo David’s?
8. How are Daisy and James able to heal themselves and each other enough to rekindle their love? How is their relationship affected by years of not knowing Jake’s fate? Who was wounded the most by his disappearance?
9. In what ways does David rescue Sage, emotionally as well as physically? Why does he understand the suffering induced at the puppy farm? What makes him a good savior?
10. What does it take to convince David that not all parents are out for themselves? What does it take to convince James that vengeance will not quell his pain?
11. How did your impressions of Paul shift throughout the novel? Ultimately, what were his motivations?
12. What is the significance of the snow geese’s return in the novel’s closing scene?
13. Discuss the homecomings that have made a significant impact on your life. Was forgiveness a necessary part of the process?
14. How does Dream Country enhance themes of family ties and hope in other Luanne Rice novels you have read?
1. Discuss the novels title. What dreams and hopes do the characters share? What keeps their dreams alive?
2. What makes Daisy unusual among single moms? How does her relationship with Sage compare to Bens relationship with his mother? Does Daisy nurture Sages ability to take care of herself?
3. How do Sages feelings about her father change throughout the novel? Is her image of him realistic?
4. What legacy of young love does Daisy pass on to Sage? What aspects of Daisys past does she see in her daughter?
5. What is Louisas role in the characters lives? What makes her a unique source of wisdom? How does she compare to the recollections Daisy has of her own parents?
6. What does Wyoming represent to Daisy and Sage? How does the landscape of Wyoming compare to Connecticut? How do these two settings reflect the characters identities?
7. What is the significance of Daisys jewelry, and her belief that in some way she is giving her love away with each piece? What powers do you believe her jewelry possesses? How does her understanding of the spirit world echo Davids?
8. How are Daisy and James able to heal themselves and each other enough to rekindle their love? How is their relationship affected by years of not knowing Jakes fate? Who was wounded the most by his disappearance?
9. In what ways does David rescue Sage, emotionally as well as physically? Why does he understand the suffering induced at the puppy farm? What makes him a good savior?
10. What does it take to convince David that not all parents are out for themselves? What does it take to convince James that vengeance will not quell his pain?
11. How did your impressions of Paul shift throughout the novel? Ultimately, what were his motivations?
12. What is the significance of the snow geeses return in the novels closing scene?
13. Discuss the homecomings that have made a significant impact on your life. Was forgiveness a necessary part of the process?
14. How does Dream Country enhance themes of family ties and hope in other Luanne Rice novels you have read?