Reader's Guide from BookBundlz
QUESTION 1: Nature vs Nurture
Bonded by geography, the kids that grew up on 100th street: Adam, John, Count, Eddie, & Louie all took different paths in life. (SPOILER ALERT - DON'T READ THE REST OF THIS QUESTION IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW TOO MUCH!)
Adam took a spiritual path outside of the city for the most part
John submerged into the scene, eventually finding a "home" in prison
Count followed a path of drugs & became a killer
Landy followed his talent and sang himself to success
Eddie became a cop (who ultimately became a killer)
Louie died serving his country, drafted as he did not have a criminal record
Do you think this is an accurate portrayal of what would happen to 6 boys growing up on a street like 100th street? What does this say of nature vs nurture?
QUESTION 2: Low Income Bond
It was said that racial prejudice was not so much a factor on 100th street, because of the common bond of being low income. "Lack of a dollar makes brothers of us all." Do you find this to be true? Where have you seen evidence to this in your life?
QUESTION 3: The Drug Scene
In the book drugs seemed to invade 100th street by an vendetta of an individual, Carlson, and his schemes with Lilith to get people hooked. What other factors contributed to the rise of drugs at that time?
QUESTION 4: Prison for 3
Count, Adam and John all end up in prison at one point or another. How did prison effect each of them personally? Did it help or hurt them? Does that change your opinion about the prison system?
QUESTION 5: Shah
What is the significance of John's transformation to Shah?
QUESTION 6: Psychic Abilities
Adam, Clifford Bias, and Richard Ireland all possessed psychic abilities of one form or another. What are your feelings on psychic abilities? Have you ever personally had a psychic experience?
QUESTION 7: Coming Back Home
After Adam has been away from New York he comes back and sees it differently. How does living away from where you grew up change the way you view your former home?
QUESTION 8: Tradition vs. Follow Your Heart
Abba and Ishtar are both internally conflicted about following tradition and following their heart. How would the story have changed if they had followed tradition? How is this conflict of tradition still played out today?
QUESTION 9: Interconnected Sub-Characters
How did all of the sub-character plots in the story affect one another? Who's story had the most impact on Adams? How did Adam affect the others? Often times we don't know how we affect each other's lives. Can you think of an example of a time when someone greatly impacted your life, yet they were probably completely unaware of the impact they had on you?
Characters Refresher:
Adam, John, Connie, Count, Louie Velez, Landy Nova, Clifford Bias, Richard ireland, Crowfoot, Ishtar, Abba, Lilith, Eddie Burns, Eve, Chance, Norman , Carol
QUESTION 10: ABC Shoes
What is the significance of the ABC Shoes? Why do you suppose the author chose shoes as they way for them to recognize the spirit?
QUESTION 11: Maintaining Spirit
p. 215 "The message of Crowfoot was powerful to Adam, but like all such messages and memories, it dissolved in the bright light and vivid sensations saturating the world." Have you found it difficult to maintain your spirituality in the "real world" vs. when you are on a spiritual retreat/in church/meditating? What methods, if any, do you use to try to maintain spiritual practices while going through your day to day experiences?
QUESTION 12: Adam and Lilith
Adam's relationship with Lilith was rocky to say the least. But whom was really crueler to whom? Lilith had a tainted past. Adam stayed with a women he did not love, and possibly fell in love with Eve during the time he was with her. Lilith spiked Adam's drink, and seduced him. Adam "buried" their son without her.
QUESTION 13: Infinitude
The word "Infinitude", meaning infinity or the state or quality of being infinite, pops up again and again... what is the significance of this word to the story?
QUESTION 14: "Virgin" Mother
p. 5 "Adam and his brother John were cognizant of the gossip surrounding their mother, who it was said gave birth without the medium of a husband." How is this fact important to the story? What would you think if you heard such a story? If you do not believe the gossip possible with Adam and John, how does that compare or contrast to the experience of Mary and Jesus?
QUESTION 15: The Collective Unconscious
p. 329 Adam says, "The human mind is linked to the collective unconscious, as computers are linked to the Internet. It is on our subliminal level we do our work. The soul of the planet clamors for change. It hungers for the light we keep locked inside of ourselves." Do you think there is any truth in what Adam said? What do you think they are doing on the subliminal level? Why did Eve caution that this can be dangerous?
QUESTION 16: Reincarnation
A major theme in the book is reincarnation and the belief that spirit never dies. For example, Dion is believed to be Chance reincarnated. What are your beliefs on reincarnation. How did your beliefs influence your liking, or not liking, of this book?
QUESTION 17: Beliefs
How did the spiritual teachings Adam encountered compare or contrast to your beliefs? Where there any spiritual thoughts that stood out to you or caught your attention and why?
QUESTION 18: Ritual
As Adam gets deeper into his spiritual teachings, he is included more in the rituals of his faith. What significance do they play in his spiritual development? How do the rituals of your (or any) faith affect your relationship with God/the universe/spirit?