THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

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THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE
BY DAVID CRISTOFANO

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Melody Grace McCartney was six years old, she and her parents witnessed an act of violence so brutal that it changed their lives forever. The federal government lured them into the Witness Protection Program with the promise of safety, and they went gratefully. But the program took Melody's name, her home, her innocence, and, ultimately, her family. She's been May Adams, Karen Smith, Anne Johnson, and countless others--everyone but the one person she longs to be: herself. So when the feds spirit her off to begin yet another new life in another town, she's stunned when a man confronts her and calls her by her real name

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David Cristofano has earned degrees in Government & Politics and Computer Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and has worked for different branches of the Federal Government for over a decade. His short works have been published by Like Water Burning and McSweeneys. He currently works in the Washington, D.C. area where he lives with his wife, son and daughter. THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE is his first novel.

READING GROUP GUIDE:

You can go here to click on the Reading Group Guide for THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE. However, if you like, here are the Discussion Questions that it includes:

(1) From the first sentence of the story, the narrator asks you to take part in the action. Why do you suppose David Cristofano decided to tell this story in the first person from the point of view of a woman? Who would have more at stake in witness protection, a man, woman, or child?

(2) Early in the novel, Melody appears conflicted in having feelings for both Sean and Jonathan. What is driving her need for affection? When does she realize she has made a decision? What solidifies this decision?

(3) At various points in the novel, the reader is given a glimpse into the previous six identities Melody has had. Which identity acts as a turning point? What event occurred that changed the trajectory of her life?

(4) The roles of good and evil are repeatedly swapped in Melody’s life. Do both sides—the Feds and the Mafia—possess both good and evil, or are they really polar opposites of one another? How does Melody influence your view of each side?

(5) Though romantically inexperienced, Melody longs to be noticed by both Sean and Jonathan, trying different ways to capture their eyes. In what ways has she felt invisible to men her whole life? How has she overcompensated?

(6) Due to her constant relocation, lack of parental guidance and inability to form lasting relationships, Melody has the body of a woman but the emotional and experiential psyche of a girl. How is this dangerous? What additional problems does this pose for her, given the life she must lead? How does it influence her interaction with all of the men in her life?

(7) Melody’s initial interplay with every authority figure—Farquar, Sean, Donovan, Sanchez—is semi-hostile. What makes Melody react this way? How does Jonathan’s influence have her responding differently by the time she meets his family?

(8) Melody and Sean share a few conversations that expose the failings of WITSEC for both the protectors and the protected. From each of their points of view, how is the system not working? How does it work as intended? How is WITSEC more or less vital to the Justice Department today?

(9) Jonathan tries to distinguish himself from his Mafia ties in several ways. How has he successfully achieved this? In what ways is he a typical Mafioso?

(10) Melody is scarred by the explicit violence she witnesses at age six. Repeatedly, she attempts to rid Jonathan of his reactionary viciousness to seemingly topical problems. Though later in the story, she finds security in his violent behavior. What changes her mind? Would you react the same way? Why or why not?

(11) Throughout the entire novel, the importance of identity is explored. How is the life Melody has led different from that of a foster child? Of a prisoner? Of an individual living under communist rule? How are they the same?

(12) How do the tangible things in Melody’s story—the food, clothes, cars, hotels—reflect her happiness, security and satisfaction? Are these things metaphorical or incidental? Would her story be different if things were reversed? Why or why not?

(13) Being in WITSEC for twenty years has had a negative impact on Melody. In what ways has it made her stronger?

(14) What is the significance of the chapter titles? How do they differ? What is the special significance of the final chapter’s title

REVIEW:

David Christofano has written a fast paced, page turner in THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE. When Melody was only 6 year old, she and her parents were witnesses to a terrible murder in the Little Italy section of New York. Because of that, the family was put into the Federal Witness Program. I have always been fascinated with this program and so this book grabbed me right away.

Melody continued in the program, basically hiding out for 20 years. Always changing names and descriptions, she hardly knew herself. Then in a cruel twist of fate, love finds Melody and put her in an unbelievable position. She falls in love with Jonathan which is difficult when you are in this program as you must be ready to run at a moment’s notice if need be. And did I mention that Jonathan just happens to be the son of the person that her parents testified against in that long ago murder case? Melody is lost as she never has made close relationships before because she knew there was always a chance she would have to pick up and move and become someone else. But this romance just happened and there was no stopping it. There is such a strong attraction between Melody and Jonathan that it can’t be denied. And what of Jonathan? He knows he should do the proper thing and feels the pressure of “the family” closing in on him.

So where can this relationship lead and what will they do? THE GIRL SHE USED TO BE has many twists and turns and many of the other people in the story play important roles in Melody’s life, but none more important than the Witness Protection Program that has not only stolen her life and identity but her ability to react and feel emotionally comparable with her age. What becomes of Melody is a question that will bring up many questions and why I think this is a wonderful book for a book club to read as there will be no problem having a discussion on this one.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO VALERIE AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE
THREE COPIES OF THIS EXCITING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!


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