for
Beyond All Desiring,
a novel by Judith Laura
First Publication: 2005 ▪ Reissue 2012 ▪ List Price:
$12.95 (trade paperback) ▪ Open Sea Press ▪ isbn 9780982819746
also available in multiple e-book formats
Recipient of 3 Fiction Awards
"...a beautiful
story written by a talented Judith Laura....
I highly recommend
Beyond All Desiring to fans of fiction."
—Debra Gaynor,
Readers Favorite
“...a fantastic book
that looks into the life of a woman who didn't conform to the rules of society
in her time....A wonderfully realistic story"
—Rosie Bindra, Fresh
Fiction
About This Book
Beyond All Desiring is a novel of literary fiction with strong women's
themes, elements of magical realism, and erotic passages. When Sara’s niece,
Janice, is notified that her sharp-witted aunt, now in her 80s, hasn’t been
seen for several days, Janice’s panicky drive to find out what’s happened
begins our journey of discovering that Sara has led a life very different from
what her relatives and friends assume. Historical events of the 20th
century form a backdrop to Sara’s often tumultuous personal life, which we
follow from Trenton, NJ, to Washington, DC. As Sara visits an art museum
exhibit about Buddhism, we learn of her two marriages, the first to an abusive
man and the second to a kinder man who was involved in top secret projects and
who develops a bizarre illness. We discover her long but secret love
relationship with a woman. And we learn of hidden booklets which hold the key
to yet another secret. Beyond All Desiring received top honors
from the Ulysses Award, and finalist awards from USA Book News' Best Book
Awards and Media Darlings Word/Work Book Award, all in 2006.
Topics for Discussion
1. In what ways are Sara and Janice different? Are there any ways in which they
are similar?
2. Does Sara consider herself heterosexual? Lesbian? Bisexual? How would you
describe her sexuality?
3. How does Sara relate to children? What part does that play in
the story?
4. Though Sara's family discovers many secrets about her, there are at least
two they never find out about. What are they? Why do you think the author
keeps these from the family?
5. Which of her three nieces is most like Sara? Least?
6. What role does Sara's neighbor, Marge, play?
7. If Sara were young today, do you think she would still keep any of her
secrets? If no, why not? If you think she would keep any, which ones and why?
8. What meanings do "desiring" and "desire"
have in this book?
9. What changes occur in Janice's outlook towards her aunt and other characters
in the novel and her actions?
10. How would you describe Gail and her relationships? What is her importance
in the story?
11. What do you think of Gregory?
12. The author describes herself as pro-choice. Whose choice is the abortion
portrayed in this book? What are some of the differences between this abortion
in 1930s America and legal abortion in the U.S. today?
13. How do the settings of Trenton, N.J., Washington, DC, and other locations
affect your experience of the story?
14. How would you describe this novel's style and structure? How do they affect
your reading experience?
15. Why do you think the narrator of Chapter 3 isn't named in that chapter? Did
you notice the lack of name? Did it affect your reading experience?
16. Are you aware of situations or people in your family similar to the ones
described in this novel?
About the Author
Judith Laura is author of five books. Beyond
All Desiring is her second novel. Her first novel,
Three Part Invention,
also drew wide praise from reviewers. Her fiction, poetry,
and articles have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She has worked
as a reporter and magazine editor. She grew up in Ewing, NJ, graduated from Ohio University, and now lives near Washington, DC.
Visit the Beyond All Desiring information page
on https://www.judithlaura.com/beyond.html
Copyright and
Reproduction of this Guide
This reading guide is copyright © 2005 by Judith Laura; revised Jan. 30, 2006
and Aug. 4, 2012. Permission is given for reading groups and individuals to
reproduce this guide in print for educational purposes and individual use. This
guide is offered free on this site, and sale of it is forbidden.