Jackie’s sons are individuals, but they also function as a unit, and at times, an albatross around Jackie’s neck. And in recent weeks, there has been a lot of cultural discourse about how younger women are dreading motherhood. Does this novel reflect some of that anxiety? What did you think about the dynamics between the boys and Cece. Why, do you think, Douglas turned out the way he did and Jayson did not? Did you see any early signs of what would happen? And then there’s the scene where Cece tells Jayson about Douglas watching her (100-104). What did you think of Jayson’s reaction? Have you ever had to confront a friend or family member about bad behavior? If the discussion helped, do you have any suggestions for how to approach those situations? Why do you think Jayson wasn’t able to confide in his parents?
Question for Lindsay: I felt like much of the book was left open-ended. Though we find out where everyone ends up, there are gaps and loose ends. Even with respect to the big reveal—Jackie’s recollection of her conversation with Douglas—it’s not clear (to me, at least) that she didn’t in fact ask (tell?) him to do it. We only get her telling herself that she didn’t. Does Lindsay know the answer? And does she have a concrete idea of where all the characters are now that she intentionally left more vague for the reader?
Questions for Lindsay: Why do we get a chapter of Theresa backstory but not really much of Jackie's? Why are specific locations rarely named? We know Nick moves to Nevada and Sammy to Orlando but Cece is just described as being up north. We also are never told where the two families live during the majority of the action (unless I missed it).
Damn -I missed this talk but LOVED the book! Is this archived somewhere? Thanks.
Question for Lindsay: I felt like much of the book was left open-ended. Though we find out where everyone ends up, there are gaps and loose ends. Even with respect to the big reveal—Jackie’s recollection of her conversation with Douglas—it’s not clear (to me, at least) that she didn’t in fact ask (tell?) him to do it. We only get her telling herself that she didn’t. Does Lindsay know the answer? And does she have a concrete idea of where all the characters are now that she intentionally left more vague for the reader?
Questions for Lindsay: Why do we get a chapter of Theresa backstory but not really much of Jackie's? Why are specific locations rarely named? We know Nick moves to Nevada and Sammy to Orlando but Cece is just described as being up north. We also are never told where the two families live during the majority of the action (unless I missed it).
Does Lindsay have siblings? If so, what was her placement (eldest, middle, etc.) and how much of a role did that play in her writing of this book?