Barefoot

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Three women arrive at the local airport, observed by Josh, a Nantucket native home from college for the summer. Burdened with small children, unwieldy straw hats, and some obvious emotional issues--all trying to escape from something.

Website: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780316018593.htm
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Latest Activity: Feb 7

Questions for Discussion:

1. Barefoot shifts in perspective among four primary characters: Brenda, Vicki, Melanie, and Josh. Which character made the strongest first impression on you? Did you find that your favorite character shifted as the novel progressed?

2. The island of Nantucket plays a distinct and significant role in Elin Hilderbrand’s novels. In Barefoot, how does Brenda, Vicki, and Melanie’s summer escape to the island allow them to more fully realize themselves?

3. Discuss the character of Josh’s ex-girlfriend, Didi. Ultimately, in what ways does she affect Josh’s life and his outlook?

4. Initially Brenda resents Melanie’s presence in their small Sconset cottage, in part due to Vicki’s motivation to include her. As Brenda observes, “But it was also the case that Brenda’s company alone had never been enough for Vicki” (page 4). How does Melanie’s inclusion affect the group dynamic? How does it affect Brenda’s relationship with her sister?

5. Josh encounters the advice “Be careful” several times in the course of the novel. To what relationships do you think this warning most aptly applies in Barefoot? To what relationships does caution have no bearing?

6. Given that John Walsh is one year older than Brenda, do you feel that Champion University’s response to their relationship is justified? Do you think the university’s decision is in any way beneficial to Brenda in the long run?

7. Discuss the role of fatherhood in Barefoot. Which father -- Tom Flynn, Peter Patchen, or Ted Stowe—did you most admire when you finished the novel? What does Josh learn about fatherhood by the summer’s end?

8. Discuss Josh’s employment as a babysitter and his role in Blaine and Porter’s life. Why do you think Josh is so adept at taking care of Vicki’s boys?

9. Throughout the novel Vicki keeps a mental list entitled “Things That No Longer Matter.” By the end, what have Brenda, Vicki, and Melanie found matters most to each of them?

10. What do you think the future holds for Brenda, Vicki, and Melanie? How will the birth of Amber affect Melanie and Peter’s relationship? How will Vicki cope with her recovery? Can Brenda undertake a new career? Finally, how influential will this summer on Nantucket prove to be in each of their lives?

Discussion Forum

What do you do when you need to "get away"? 2 Replies

Started by Miriam Parker. Last reply by Michelle Wendy Locke Aug. 17, 2009.

Question 1

Started by Brenda Garza Aug. 6, 2009.

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Comment by Denise Kampsen on October 2, 2009 at 9:42pm: I have just finished reading Barefoot. What a good story. This is the third book I have read by Elin. The first was Castaways, then it was A Summer Affair. I have bought a fourth book and will start it soon. I loved this book, I just wish I knew more about Josh. He seemed like such a good boy-man. He grew up over the summer with these women. He grew with them as they themselves grew. I wish I could find out if Brenda sold her screenplay, why Melanie stayed with her husband, it sounded like neither one of them grew together, more like they grew apart but stayed together out of obligation. That was sad but, it did seem more like the "real world" or the correct thing to do. I felt for Vickie, I am also a mother of 3, I couldn't imagine not being able to care for my children because I would be too sick, that breaks my heart. Vicki also made me sad that she was so fearful for the surgery that she let it consume her. I have never been in that situtation so I can't relate, but it is sad. Ted sounds like a good & supportative husband, All marriages have problems but they seemed to work through it, you can feel the love Ted has for his wife & boys. Vicki & Brenda's parents seem very loving & wise. I love the boys, even their names; Porter & Blaine. I have a son myself & love everything about him! You realize that life is important, short, and flies by. Very good characters in the book, you like each & every one of them, well, maybe except Didi. But, there has to be someone like that. I do like how Josh wouldn;t let her by with blackmailing him, he stood his ground with her even though she thought she could bully him, but in the end she was the one that messed up, she needed him more than he needed her. I could go on & on about this book. This is one of thoses books that you could read 5 times and feel different each time you read it. Very good read!

Comment by Joyce Rice on September 30, 2009 at 6:09pm: yes Debbie you do, A Summer Affair was my 1st book!! I just got Beach Club and I will start it tonight!! join us over at A Summer Affair we chat more there!!

Comment by debbie murphy on September 30, 2009 at 11:25am: I just finished barefoot..my first Elin Hilderbrand book..I couldnt put it down..now im off to the bookstore to get A Summer Affair , I think i have a new favorite author

Comment by Joyce Rice on September 25, 2009 at 9:32pm: this is my 2nd book of Elin's I really liked it..I feel like I miss everyone..
I look forward to the Castaway's next..

Comment by melissa ricca on August 20, 2009 at 7:44pm: by far one of the best books ive ever read! i couldnt put this book down. however i def wish melanie and peter never got back together!

Comment by Theresa Bond on August 15, 2009 at 6:18pm: In the beginning, I really like Vicki. As the novel progressed, I grew more sympathetic toward Brenda as well. I really liked both of them and admired their relationship.

I think not having men around helps these women realize themselves. I think the lifestyle they enjoy and the relaxation helps them to recapture something that is hard to find time for in the hustle and bustle of city life or school year life, if you will.

There are women like Didi everywhere. She was easy for Josh but he didn't really want to be involved with her and he wanted to escape her. She, in some ways, represented that small town girlfriend that the guy needs to get away from so he can grow.

Comment by Kim Gazso on July 19, 2009 at 6:45pm: Just finished reading Barefoot and absolutely loved it! In response to the above questions, my favorite character remained the same throughout the book. Josh was my favorite right from the start because of the way he immediately jumped to help Melanie when she fell. "Do you need first aid?" How many guys would even ask that? He remained my favorite character right until the end..."I knew she'd be beautiful." I especially loved it when he kissed Melanie's stomach. He was so sweet and tender with all of the characters in the book. He always knew the right thing to say. As far as his relationship with Didi went, I think she helped him grow up. She made him realize that he no longer enjoyed his old way of life, and showed him that we was ready for much more out of life. I can totally understand why Brenda was resentful of Melanie at the beginning of the summer. She wanted to be "enough" for Vicki and the kids. She had failed at her job, and at her relationship (she thought) and she just wanted to do something really good. Melanie's drama and neediness were more than Brenda could handle, and more than Vicki should have had to handle. Hmmmm "Be Careful". I think that pretty much applies to any relationship. It applies to a woman's relationship w/her boyfriend or husband, a person's relationship with their family, their children, their friends. I can't think of a situation where you wouldn't have to be somewhat careful of saying the wrong thing, or hurting someone's feelings, or not saying enough or doing enough. I did not feel that Champion Universities reaction to Brenda's relationship was handled correctly. They should have sat down with her and asked her what was going on - without one of her students sitting right there! They should have looked at the papers so Brenda could show them why she gave Walsh an A+, and Walsh being 31 was not a typical student. They should have had him drop her class and keep their relationship out of the public eye until he graduated. It's hard to say which father I admired the most. I'd have to say Ted because he stuck by his wife and kids through everything. Peter was a schmuck and I don't think Melanie should have gone back to her. I felt Tom Flynn's pain over his wifes death. I think he did the best he could. I think Josh was so amazing with the kids because he had practically raised himself. He was used to taking care of things - he even made his dad dinner every night and kept to his dad's unusual schedules. He sensed the kids might lose their mother, and knew what that felt like. He just wanted to make their lives as happy and easy as he possibly could, and he was great at it! At the end of the story, Brenda and Vicki both realize that love and family are most important to them. Melanie thought family was most important, but I'm not sure she'll have the family she was visualizing with Peter. She will never be able to trust him again, and she still has very strong feelings for Josh. I think Brenda finally gained some confidence in herself. She did a great job with Vicki and the kids and she succeeded with her screenplay. She also found love with Walsh. I'm sure they will all always remember this summer on Nantucket, and perhaps make it a yearly trip. Well, maybe not Melanie. It would probably be too painful for her to visit the place she fell in love with Josh knowing she can't be with him anymore. Hopefully Vicki will always remember her list of things that aren't important and live her life to the fullest.

Comment by Kim Gazso on July 16, 2009 at 10:32am: Just finishing "The Love Season" which I absolutely love, and then I'll be starting "Barefoot"

Comment by Julia Allen Vinall on June 29, 2009 at 10:02pm: Just finished Barefoot and loved it as well...have a few cancer survivors in my family (including my mom and stepmom) so could definitely relate. Also could relate to the sister - jealousy thing and the friend who doesn't exactly love the sister - along with the two high energy kids in the background! WISH I could relate to the hot young guy babysitting... definitely food for thought! ha!