To what extent does childhood determine who we become ? How can an unsatisfying or unhealthy self be transformed?ġ5.Beverly admits late in her life that 'other people's children are too hard.' What does she mean? In what ways is this true or not?ġ6. Among other things, Holly is attempting to find inner peace. In what ways is this a healthy response to her life? What of her mother's question of whether it's 'a real life'?ġ4. Holly chooses meditation over medication as a way of dealing with her suffering and stress. Fix believes, 'There's no protecting anyone.keeping people safe.is a story.' To what extent is this true? Why does he believe this?ġ3. What are the ethical and legal issues of the situation? Should there be regulations for writing about others without their consent?ġ2. After writing his novel based on the life stories of the siblings, Leon Posen says 'it's my book,' while Albie asks, 'how did he end up with my life?' What do the various literary allusions (David Copperfield, The Return of the Native, The English Patient, T. What does it take to repair and rebuild family relationships after so much division and tragedy?ġ0. As adults, Jeanette suggests to Albie, perhaps in jest, that they create a family therapy plan for Holly and their mother. Franny falls for Leon Posen because of 'the brightness in him.' What might this mean? Why do you think Franny and Leo were willing to overlookĩ. How does the ageing of the four parents-Beverly, Fix, Teresa, and Bert-affect their feelings and behavior regarding each other and the children?Ĩ. What's added to the novel by the presence of Lomer, Fix's first partner on the police force?ħ. What influence did the time periods, especially the '60s and '70s, have on the behavior and decisions of the characters?Ħ. In what ways might this be true? To what extent does romantic love justify their decision?ĥ. Bert believes that his divorce, all the difficulties for the children, and his marriage to Beverly were inevitable. In what ways are the siblings good for and to each other?Ĥ. What does it mean to become a family again in the wake of divorce? How does each child grow to respond to the family difficulties?ģ. How is each child-Cal, Caroline, Holly, Jeanette, Franny, and Albie-affected by the divorce and neglect that results?Ģ.

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