The Beans of Egypt, Maine cover

The Beans of Egypt, Maine

by Carolyn Chute

There are families like the Beans all over America. They live on the wrong side of town in mobile homes strung with Christmas lights all year round. The women are often pregnant, the men drunk and just out of jail, and the children too numerous to count. In The Beans of Egypt, Maine we meet the God-fearing Earlene Pomerleau and experience her obsession with the whole swarming Bean tribe. There's Cousin Rubie, a boozer and a brawler, tall Aunt Roberta, the earth mother surrounded by countless clinging babies, and Beal, sensitive, often gentle but doomed by the violence within him. Vividly told, at times both funny and sad, Chute gives life and dignity to an unforgettable cast of American characters.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?