|
- The story starts off when the Adler family arrives to Newark
airport to board a flight from New Jersey to LA. It’s very mundane.
But, we the readers, know that all the characters are soon heading
to tragedy. Let’s talk about this opening chapter.
- The characters we meet in this chapter are: Bruce and Jane Alder
(Edward’s parents); his brother Jordan; Crispin Cox, an elderly
wealthy man; Linda Stollen, a young pregnant woman; Florida, a
hippie woman running away from domestic life; Benjamin Stillman, a
complicated military vet; Mark Lassio, a brash businessman and
Veronica, a flight attendant. What was your initial impression of
all these characters?
- The story alternates between the plane ride and the aftermath.
What did you think about this writing style of the different
timelines? Were you more engaged with one timeline over the other?
- After the crash, Edward stays with his aunt Lacey and Uncle
John. But it’s a somewhat awkward and stilted dynamic. Let’s talk
about their dynamic at the beginning of the novel. Do you think the
constant grief and memories of loved ones is a reason why they all
were so closed off to each other?
- Edward is depressed and can’t sleep. He goes to his next door
neighbor’s house where Shay, a girl his age, lives and ends up
sleeping on her floor for a long time. Why do you think Edward was
more comfortable with Shay than being with anyone else?
- Let’s talk about the dynamics of Edward and Shay. How did they
both find solace with each other?
- Of all the plane passengers, which storyline were you most
engaged with? Which one the least?
- Gary, who is Linda’s boyfriend, drives across the country to
meet with Edward. He hopes that maybe Edward had seen or interacted
with Linda on the flight. After that, Edward and Shay discover
hundreds of letters addressed to Edward from the family and spouses
of loved ones who perished on the flight. This is a really key
section so let’s break it down more. First, why do you think they
all felt a need to write letters to Edward? What did Edward
represent them?
- Why do you think it was important for the people to tell Edward
to become what their loved ones couldn’t do (such as write a novel,
move to London, become a standup comedian, etc.)? What they’re
really asking for Edward is to continue their loved ones
legacy—let’s talk about it.
- When Edward reads the letters, it’s understandably a lot but is
also eventually provides a bit of closure for him. Why do you think
those letters had that impact on him?
- Toward the end of the novel, Edward runs into his therapist and
he mentions he still thinks about the crash all the time. His
therapist says to him: "What happened to you is baked into your
bones, Edward…what you’ve been working on, since the first time I
met you, is learning to live with that." Let’s discuss this.
- Edward and Shay eventually go back to the crash site in
Colorado. We also learn of that future together. Let’s talk about
the ending.
* Some questions from Book Club Chat
|
|
