the Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes

Here are my responses to the book club questions for the first ten chapters of the Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain.

1. What was your first impression of Tim?

Why the heck did he want to get involve with a 16 year old GIRL? It was made clear she was often mistaken for a 14/15 year old. Tim was in graduate school and had a promising career of social work ahead of him. I'm a skeptical person so my "antennas" went up when CeeCee and Tim starting getting more and more serious.

2. If you were in CeeCee's position, would you be willing to help your boyfriend in the way that she is willing to help Tim?

I can say a 100 percent "no". If your boyfriend asks you to be apart of a serious crime as kidnapping, it's pretty certain that he does not care about you or your future together. CeeCee was so quick to please Tim that she did not think out her involvement with the kidnapping.

3. Why do you think CeeCee is so eager to please Tim?

She wants and needs his love. She has a hunger for it. She wants to find her place in the world. She feels that he is the one and only that can fill this need. Her questions regarding the kidnapping are related more to the next time she will see Tim rather than the governor's wife (until they meet at the cabin). She does not understand the seriousness of the situation...and Tim does a horrible job of explaining. Another thought, I think she was blinded by her admiration for Tim's love and support of his sister.

4. Who do you think has it harder? Tim or CeeCee?

My heart breaks for CeeCee. To lose your mother at the tender age of twelve, it unimaginable. She does not have the comfort of other family members. She is all alone at 12. She overcomes her situation at great odds to excel in school. She has tremendous initiative for college. (Insert: She would be the perfect guest for Oprah!) She thinks she has found her true love. And, all in one night her life has changed.

5. What character trait(s) about CeeCee stuck out the most to you in these first ten chapters?

Hardworking, Intelligent, Innocent, Loyal, Childish...

6. Do you think CeeCee is as mature as she seems?

She has gone from foster care to foster care since she was twelve...so I believe she has crafted the look of maturity but she is still a 16 year old little girl. We definitely know that she has not been wise in some of her decisions and caught up in the "glamour" of it all.

Photo via here.