Book Club Discussion Questions for Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Syanon: Rehabilitation Center Turned Cult and our BookBrowse Review of Hollywood Park.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Discuss the long-term impact the Synanon cult had on both Mikel and Tony ... the ways they dealt with others, their relationships, and the paths they each chose.
2. What impact did Bonnie have on the boys' lives?
3. Discuss the stepfather figures in Mikel's life. What effect did they have on Mikel's sense of self?
4. Do you think Mikel would have become a musician if he hadn't had such a difficult childhood?
5. One thing Mikel accomplished so successfully was his ability to process and articulate his childhood trauma and memories. Have you had any instances where you look at a moment in your childhood differently now that you are an adult?
6. Do you think that writing is an effective therapeutic method? Have you ever written for yourself or others in order to work out a problem or issue? If so, do you feel it was helpful or ineffective?
7. The book's title, Hollywood Park, refers to the horse-racing track Mikel visited with his father. Why do you think he chose this title? What would you call your own memoir?

For the full book club kit please refer to the publisher's page.

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Celadon. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.