A Long and Happy Life, by Reynolds Price, is a story of North Carolina rural life featuring Rosacoke Mustain as she grows into a young woman. The story examines themes of love, identity and birth.
To think about while reading:
- The people in this novel live in a rural area with electric lights and telephones, but they possess not much more in the way of modern conveniences. How would the story have been different if they had the technology available today?
- A leech attaches to Wesley’s leg when he is swimming in Mason’s Lake. What kind of leeches are found in North Carolina? What are their habits? What other species are found around the country?
- At the Christmas pageant, Rosacoke smells paregoric on the baby’s breath. What various potions and elixirs have people given babies throughout history: what are other popular methods for quieting them?
- Research some of the songs of mourning that you think may have been sung at Mildred Sutton’s funeral.
- Were you surprised to find the casual friendships between blacks and whites portrayed in this novel?
- Compare and contrast from 1962 to present
The space race
Infant mortality
A wealthy aviation enthusiast
Popular music by white and by black musicians
