Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma!


Event Details

  • Date:
  • Categories:

The Third book in the Series is “Ordinary People” by Judith Guest
Guest’s first novel portrays with psychological accuracy a family tragedy—the death of a son. It moves us because the unexpected death of a young person is a special loss, bringing with it guilt for those left behind. The three remaining Jarretts of Lake Forest, Illinois, try to cope with what they were and will become. These “ordinary people” are the epitome of the American success ethic: the father, Calvin, a self-made attorney; Beth, the beautiful wife, envied for her perfect house, her bridge and tennis games; their son, Conrad, the overachiever.

The book opens shortly after Conrad has suffered a breakdown and is trying to come back from a private hell to a fearsome world. The family’s inability to talk about their grief assaults the readers like a litany of “shoulds” and “what ifs.” Guilt becomes a disease: Conrad blames himself; Beth blames her son; Calvin, the compassionate father, is caught in the middle. Everyone keeps a tight rein on feeling, and the unspoken commandment is “Thou shalt not fail”—in school, in marriage, in life. Conrad’s breakdown only augurs the family’s breakup.

The hero of Conrad’s healing, Berger, is a scruffy and savvy psychiatrist, who succeeds in getting his client to feel again. Unable to please his mother or confide in his father and friends, Conrad treats Berger like an extended family member and a godlike figure to whom “confessions” may be offered. Eventually even Calvin avails himself of Berger’s services. But Beth abhors the invasion of privacy (or admission of failure) that counseling would bring. Guest implies that we are not self-sufficient and that reaching beyond he family unit for help is not only desirable but often necessary for survival.

Conrad’s emotional breakdown and Calvin’s break from rigidity lead to a breakthrough for both of them. If Conrad fails to live up to perfection, he will not be punished, while Calvin learns, “You are not God, you do not know, you are not in control, so let go.” Their expression of love for each other brings with it a hope of mending their mutual loss.

Dr. Harbour Winn will be presenting. He is full of facts and fun anecdotes about the author and book. Pick up a copy at the front desk!

Leave a Comment