What We Thought: Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

Looking for Me is one of five finalists for the 2014 Kentucky Literary Award. The Southern Kentucky Book Fest partnership’s award will go to a work of fiction by a Kentucky author or with a significant Kentucky theme that was published in 2012 or 2013. Her good friend, Julie Kibler is a finalist as well for Calling Me Home. The winner will be announced on April 25.

Themes: restoration and renewal, family secrets and conflict, personal growth, and how choices affect the paths our lives take.

Readers were impressed with the scope of the story, the authentic portrayal of characters and their lives, vivid descriptions of rural Kentucky as well as Charleston, South Carolina. One reader who has lived in Charleston remarked that the descriptions of neighborhoods, historic houses, beautiful gardens and fountains were accurate and brought back memories of time spent there.

Everyone agreed that the story was written with great passion that only a woman could have felt. There were many emotional moments when readers spoke about particular events and characters. It was if they were remembering real people and their reactions to them. This led into several serious discussions about the dynamics of family life. One thread was about how different generations deal with family secrets. Nowadays, people are generally more open when talking about sensitive topics such as war-time experiences, family history, and family relationships.

Everyone in the group was pleased with the growth of the main character Teddi and her transformation from a country girl with an interest in old furniture to a successful artist and businesswoman who created a beautiful and satisfying life for herself. She was able to come to terms with having an emotionally distant relationship with her mother as well as with the mysterious disappearance of her younger brother. You don’t always get what you want in life but you can create the life for yourself that you need.

Readers remarked that the book was choppy but agreed that the switching back and forth did propel the story along. Some wanted more elaboration about certain events. They felt that enough wasn’t explained about Teddi’s parents and her brother. All in all, everyone enjoyed reading the book and was very enthusiastic when discussing it. Some said Looking for Me reminded them of other book club books; the Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty.

SPOILER ALERT -- If you haven't read the book yet, you may want to stop here!

Readers were surprised at the last word ending the book: Menewa. It is a Native American word meaning "Great Warrior" and was given as a name for a red-tailed hawk in a story told by Teddi to her brother Josh when he was a young child. She said that the raptor was chosen over all the other red-tails to be his guardian. Later, as an adult visiting the family farm in Kentucky Teddi saw a red-tailed hawk and felt a connection to her brother. When Teddi gifted the farm to be used a wildlife sanctuary, the caretakers named it Menewa in honor of her brother Josh. Menewa is evoked at the conclusion of Teddi’s story in recognition of love for her brother and her hope that someday they might be reunited.