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Carrying the Tiger
“A beautiful and very human love story which breathes an extraordinary generosity of spirit.” — David Newman, author of Talking with Doctors
On a sunny afternoon in 2014, Tony Stewart’s wife receives a sudden and devastating diagnosis. Thus begins an extraordinary journey, as Tony and Lynn learn to live fully in the shadow of death—until, six years later, they share the intimate grace of Lynn’s departure from this world. Then Tony’s second journey begins: learning to live fully in a world without Lynn.
As Tony reflects on the uncertainty, fear, and sorrow of those years, he also reflects on their meaning: How can one feel tenderness and joy in the midst of shattering grief? What does it mean to live and love with one’s whole heart, regardless of the prognosis?
Poignant, heartrending, and ultimately hopeful, Carrying the Tiger is a memoir for anyone hoping to find comfort in discomfort and embrace a new perspective on death.
“Captures emotions and experiences that will be familiar to anyone who’s stood by a loved one facing a cancer diagnosis . . . this is a work that will strengthen all who read it.” — Khalid Dar, MD, Oncologist, Mount Sinai Morningside
“Your book helped me transition through the painful loss of my best friend and then my brother and his wife. I know it will touch many others in a profound way.” — Gail Dahl
These discussion questions were provided by the publisher, DartFrog Books.
Book club questions for Carrying the Tiger by Tony Stewart
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
How did you come away feeling, after reading Carrying the Tiger? Upset? Inspired? Anxious? Less afraid?
Is this a book you will continue thinking about? Were there passages or sentences that struck you as particularly profound or moving?
How did Carrying the Tiger impact your thoughts about medical care? The patient-physician relationship? End of life care?
Considering that Tony Stewart was once a filmmaker, do you see any cinematic influences in his writing style and narrative approach?
Many people are afraid of talking about illness and dying, but Tony and Lynn were very open on these subjects. Are there topics in your life that you might now be more willing to discuss with your friends and family?
Tony writes that he found the first year of supporting Lynn extremely difficult, to the point that he had a small breakdown. Does this resonate with you? Have you ever become so involved in doing something for someone else that you lost sight of what you needed for yourself?
Lynn was an artist who was “never more alive than when creating a painting.” How do you think her creative drive affected her experience of living with cancer?
Tony had a hard time accepting when it was time to stop treating Lynn’s cancer, and even tried to talk her into going back to the hospital. Has there been a time in your life when you realized afterwards that you had pushed too far?
In the last days of her life, Lynn gave Tony permission to have another girlfriend. Then Tony met Cordelia and began a new relationship just three months after Lynn died. How do you feel about this?
Tony coped with his stress and grief in part by journaling on Caringbridge. What do you think your outlet would be, if you faced a similarly challenging situation?
The third part of the book's subtitle is “Finding Joy while Grieving.” What does that mean for you?
Carrying the Tiger Book Club Questions PDF
Click here for a printable PDF of the Carrying the Tiger discussion questions