READERS GUIDE

Questions and Topics for Discussion

INTRODUCTION

In her eightieth year, Agatha McGee is feeling her age, more tired and less a part of daily life in town. When an article in the local paper tells the whole town about her failing health, Agatha decides she’s spent enough time in the house. During her attempts to return to society, a flood hits the Badbattle River, engulfing every house except hers. Staggerford needs Agatha like never before, and seven neighbors, friends, and former students seek refuge with Agatha for four days and nights.

Jon Hassler is the author of eleven novels, two short-story collections, and two works of nonfiction. He is Regent’s Professor Emeritus at St. John’s University, Minnesota. He and his wife, Gretchen, divide their time between Melbourne Beach, Florida, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What made you want to return to Staggerford again?

The need to say more about the Minnesota small town and the people I’ve become attached to.

Do you think Agatha’s story is over, or will you keep writing about her until her death?

I am currently writing about her again, a novel called The New Woman and she is eighty-seven years old. I don’t plan to write another book about her—unless she won’t leave me alone.

What inspired you to focus this story on the lives of these women? Why are the men so absent from the story?

The women are all friends of mine. The spotlight being on the women, the men only have supporting roles.

Has your view of these characters—and the town of Staggerford—changed over the years?

I don’t think my attitude has changed, but has remained constant over the years since 1977 when Staggerford was first published.

What kind of reading do you do when you are writing? Do any books in particular that inspire you to write?

I read fiction mostly, and I am particularly inspired by the novels of William Trevor and the short stories of Alice Munro. But the best book I have read in the last two years was Atonement, by Ian McEwan.