Take Me With You

In what ways does the breaking down of August’s mobile home reflect his internal conflicts?

Near the beginning of the novel, August says, “That was when the pain came back. Radiated down, almost more a burn than a slice—an irritating, humming burn.” How does his pain drive his actions throughout the novel?

Wes uses several methods to try to convince August to take his sons for the summer. Why do you think Wes used the gesture of “no strings attached”? Do you think he was sincere?

What do you think was the deciding factor for August’s decision to take the boys with him? Do you think he made the right choice? What would you have done?

The issues and repercussions of alcoholism pervade the book. Who do you think was the most affected by this disease and why?

In what ways were the two boys’ personalities formed by their upbringing and their mother’s abandonment? What coping mechanisms did each boy use to survive in this dysfunctional environment?

When August realizes he must give the boys back to their father at the end of the summer, he decides that his best choice is to let go. Do you think he had any other viable options? How did the fifty-dollar bill he left for the boys play a role in their lives?

August blames his wife’s drinking for the death of his son, Phillip. Is this a fair judgment? How does his view of her responsibility in the accident change over the course of the novel?

Years later, when August is in need and thinks the boys have almost forgotten him, they return to take him on a summer trip. How does this journey affect August’s perception of how to live life?