Location: Australia Type: Ebook
Timeline: Linear with flashback memories Genre: Fiction
Narration: Mostly 3rd person from Alice's perspective. Some 1st person narration from Elisabeth and Frannie in the forms of letters.
Review:
Stars: 4
What a beautifully written story that touches on difficult subjects. At times the book seemed slow and long but it is worth it to see the characters to the end. The characters were realistic and relatable. The struggles were real. The ending was fantastic.
This is a great option for book clubs as long as you keep in mind that many people are effected by the hurtful subjects of this novel. There are great opportunities to discuss the hard stuff as well as the lighthearted stuff. Just remember to be kind to all.
Sex:
Sex is mentioned but no action and no details.
Language:
Fuck: 13
Ass: 0
Bitch: 12
Shit: 7
GD: 0
Cunt/Pussy: 0
Dick/Cock: 0
L in V: 33 (mainly statements like "oh my G" "Oh Lord" "J, Alice")
Bastard: 2
Triggers:
Miscarriage
Infertility
Adoption
Memory loss
Divorce
Questions:
Alice was given an antique family ring as her engagement ring. But Alice tends to easily lose things,
Have you ever received something you were afraid to lose?
How did you ensure you wouldn't lose it?
As a teenager Alice was described as a nothing sort of girl.
What does that mean?
Have you met a "nothing sort of girl"?
Elisabeth seems to be a compulsive worrier. She worries about her health due to family history. She worries about family members dying. She worries about terrorist attacks.
What benefit, if any, does worrying provide?
Are Elisabeth's worries justified?
Do you worry about any of her worries?
What is the thing you worry most about?
If you lost your memory of the last 10 years, what would you dread remembering again?
What would you look forward to remembering?
What do you think would help Ben with his view of adoption (either while he was a child or now)?
(answer without the knowledge of Elisabeth and Ben finally deciding to adopt. Think about something that would have gotten him to that point.)
When Alice goes into her bedroom for the first time after leaving the hospital, she realizes that Nick moving out was true. All things that said he lived in that room were gone.
What is the first thing you would notice missing if your spouse moved out?
As Alice begins to remember parts of the last 10 years, it seems she remembers hurtful memories first.
Why do you think that is?
Would you rather lose your memory of the last 10 years or the next 10 years?
Why?
What is your favorite Elvis song?
What is your favorite pie?
What pie would be the easiest to make a world record size of?
Are you team Nick or team Dominick?
Why?
Elisabeth and Ben finally have a baby girl. They are so happy that Ben cries a lot and Elisabeth feels a high like she is on heroin.
Do couples who have infertility issues cherish their babies more than those who are easily fertile?
Is the love different?
The story was told through three narrators: Alice, Elisabeth, and Frannie.
Who was your favorite?
Who was your least favorite?
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