Q. Are you trying to impart certain messages to readers through Cross Currents?
A. No, not really. Some writers write with a specific message in mind, but for the most part, that’s not how I go about the process. If there are messages in my novels, they’re mostly unintentional offshoots of the stories I’m trying to tell. I will confess that one of the reasons I wrote Cross Currents is that I think it’s important that we all think about global events. The world is becoming such a small place. We can help strangers and we can be helped by strangers. It’s important to keep this notion in mind, because as the population around the globe continues to boom, and people live together in greater concentrations, we’re going to see increasing numbers of human casualties from natural disasters.
Q. In your last novel, The Wishing Trees, your characters went on a journey that spanned eight countries on two continents. Now, with Cross Currents, you’ve taken readers to a little island in Thailand. Where will your next novel be set?
A. I’m working on a historical novel set around Angkor Wat, the amazing temple located in present-day Cambodia. Angkor Wat was built over a forty-year period in the twelfth century, when a sophisticated society flourished in the region. But conflict with a rival group led to a series of wars that changed the course of civilization in Southeast Asia. I’m fascinated by the history surrounding Angkor Wat and am deep into imagining a story involving a cast of high- and lowborn characters. It’s going to be an epic novel, in some ways similar to my first book, Beneath a Marble Sky.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Where were you when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck on December 26, 2004?
2. What was your reaction to the catastrophe?
3. Some novelists avoid real-life subjects that are bound to evoke powerful negative emotions in readers. Do you think John Shors brings the story of the disaster to life in a way that honors those who suffered and died?
4. The author traveled multiple times to Ko Phi Phi before and after the tsunami struck. Do you think it’s important for writers to have such personal connections with the places they write about?
5. Cross Currents explores the relationships between locals and tourists. In real life, do you think each set of people understands the other?
6. How do you think people from different cultures best learn from one another?
7. What do you think of Patch’s initial decision to flee Thailand, rather than to turn himself in? If you were a member of his family, would you try to convince him to take another path?
8. Lek and Sarai assume a significant amount of risk when they let Patch stay with them for such an extended time. Do you think they make the right decision?
9. Why do you think Brooke decides to share her past with Patch? By doing so, does she knowingly or unknowingly bring them closer together? Why do you think John Shors chose to handle the issue this way?
10. What aspect of the changing romantic relationships in the novel do you find most interesting?
11. What do you think about the relationship between Ryan and Dao? What is each character looking for?
12. Lek and Sarai depend on their children to help draw business to their resort. Discuss their distaste at having to exploit their children in this way. Can you think of times when you might have exploited your children, in small or large ways, or incidents when you’ve seen other parents exploit their children?
13. Which character faces the greatest challenge and rises to the occasion most impressively?
14. If you had lived on Ko Phi Phi, and endured the tsunami, would you have left afterward?
15. Imagine that many years have passed since the tsunami. What do you think life is now like for Lek and his family? Do you think Patch kept his promise to make his life count?
Also by John Shors
Beneath a Marble Sky
Beside a Burning Sea
Dragon House
The Wishing Trees
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 - consequences
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 - separate ways
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20 - the beauty of others
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 - eyes of the island
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22 - believe in me
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 - a light to bring you home
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 - follow me
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 - brothers
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 - ten ripples and a wave
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27 - as one
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28 - footprints
afterword
Acknowledgements
READERS GUIDE
Also by John Shors
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 - consequences
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 - separate ways
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20 - the beauty of others
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 - eyes of the island
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22 - believe in me
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 - a light to bring you home
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 - follow me
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 - brothers
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 - ten ripples and a wave
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27 - as one
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28 - footprints
afterword
Acknowledgements
READERS GUIDE
Also by John Shors
John Shors, Cross Currents
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