Book Clubs

Discussion Questions (for Cloudbreak, California):

1. How is the father's crime responsible for everything else that follows in the book? How might things have played out differently if he hadn't gotten into such serious trouble?


2. Daniels felt "wonderful" upon hearing about his father's crime. Later, this fact somehow helps transform him for the better. Can you explain this reaction to such tragic and upsetting news?


3. Why does Daniels "flee" the country upon hearing the news about his father's capture? How aware is he of what he's doing?


4. Many memoirs have been written about counterculture childhoods—The Glass Castle, Split, Pagan Time, Wild Child—but Cloudbreak, California is one of the few, or only, memoirs written by a son and not a daughter. How does Daniels's sex play into his life story? How might things have turned out differently had he been a daughter?


5. Daniels is in a rare position to experience two very different parts of the social continuum. He grows up hippy poor, with regular long visits to his Nouveau riche grandparents. Later, he constantly struggles to support himself. What can be said of his experience about money, about being born with or without it? Imagine the story without the help of his grandparents.


6. College, it could be argued, saved Daniels's life. Are the same opportunities to study available to young people today as they were for Daniels? What would have happened to him had the story taken place today?


7. How does the book argue for the value of travel? How does it argue against travel?


8. This story spans three generations: the greatest generation, the baby boomers, and generation X. What does it say about each? Do the various characters fairly represent their respective generations?


9. Daniels's parents obviously made a lot of mistakes over the course of this narrative. Did they do anything right? What can the book teach us about parenting?


10. The story ends happily. Does the ending seem justified? Do you doubt anything about the final words? If so, why?


The author would love to talk to your book club. If you would like to schedule a live or online discussion, write him at:

keldaniels@gmail.com

Picture of the cover of A Candle for San Simon by Kelly Daniels

Coming Soon - Released on June 15
Pre-order your copy at:

owl canyon press (Paperback)

Cloudbreak, California

Cloudbreak, California

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