Gus Busbi Discussion Questions
1. What were your initial thoughts about how Gus and Jamiel saw each other?
2. What do you think made the difference in how they saw each other by the end of the book?
3. How do you think that relates to today’s broader tensions and does this point to hope?
4. How do you think the losses in Gus’s life impacted him? Through whom is God working to help him reconcile his pain and live life again?
5. Jamiel is struggling to grow into manhood. He has to decide what path to take. What experiences are shaping or affecting his decisions? Through whom is God working to help him to grow and navigate this time in his life?
6. Jamiel calls on Father Tom when he had nowhere else to turn. What things did Father Tom say or do for Jamiel that made a difference?
7. Let’s talk about Celia. How would you describe her? What is important to Celia? Could she be a successful mother if she had not moved out of Lenox Street? How has she lived out the life God has called her to?
8. Were there any quotes or passages in the book that spoke to you? A few interesting passages are provided below. P. 76 Gus to Jamiel - “Becoming the man you want to be isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s a set of intentional decisions about your values, your integrity, what you care about, and, more importantly, who you care about.” Gus refers to becoming a man, but think of this quote in a broader context for the various stages of your own life. P. 105 Gus to Jamiel - “If we let the bad branches and the parasites have too much influence, they will choke off the tree’s strength and ability to bear good fruit.” Is Gus simply talking about an apple tree? P. 194 Fr. Tom to Jamiel - “I think most young men would like to have it both ways. They would want their moms, sisters, and wives treated one way, but they would like there to be another group of women who they treat a different way - for their own pleasure. Men can compartmentalize things in life.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
9. What did you think of Father Tom’s discussion with Gus about the Marine’s motto to leave no man behind in the context of our Christian duties?
10. The book creates a rich and varied environment of home, school, neighborhoods, churches and even a prison. What are the conflicting messages of each and how do the characters relate to their environment?
11. The Cardinals are presented as a ‘second family’ to Jamiel. Do you think the Cardinals and their rivals were realistically depicted?
12. What characters in these gangs caught your attention and what stood out?
13. What thoughts did you have about the young men who grew up without hope in the local gangs?
14. What is the balance between taking personal responsibility in life, despite the circumstances, and recognizing how circumstances can make that task so difficult for a young teen?
15. How important are people such as Reverend Rich to providing an example and an alternative path in life?
16. What impact do you think Reverend Rich had on Jamiel’s father, Will Bennet?
17. The parable of the Prodigal Son is discussed early in the book. Who was the “Prodigal Son”? What lessons do you see reflected in the book?
18. What were your thoughts about Gus’s struggle with forgiveness and the impact on his life and his salvation?
19. The license plate on the cover includes an important verse in the story. Jn 15:13 “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” How did this impact the story (especially the ending) for both Gus and Jamiel?
20. Overall, what are your thoughts about the book?