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Did the novel change the way you see prisons or anything else?
|
|
16
|
123
|
October 15, 2026
|
|
Did Allison's journey toward coming out as a lesbian make her more likely to perform the extraordinary act of helping James?
|
|
18
|
134
|
October 14, 2026
|
|
When James commits the act which results in his prison term, do you believe you would have done the same in that circumstance? At the instant it happened, were you with him or against him?
|
|
19
|
152
|
October 14, 2026
|
|
Literature was important to both James and Allison. James sustained himself in prison by reading novels, and Allison became a literature major (and teacher). How important—if at all—has literature been to you?
|
|
24
|
193
|
October 14, 2026
|
|
The anger directed at the Resets stems from the economic impact on the youth. If the government had mandated retirement ages, would the younger generation have been less agitated? Would environmental issues have been enough to anger them on their own?
|
|
6
|
51
|
October 14, 2026
|
|
Can you think of other options for the second Reset that would have been better for the story (e.g., reset forever, age normally, or jump to a different age)? What economic/environmental impacts would those have caused?
|
|
3
|
31
|
October 13, 2026
|
|
Pastor Wilkes uses imagery reminiscent of the life of Jesus (the 12 advisors, the Sermon on the Mount, final words). Do you think this implies he believed he was a reincarnation of Jesus, or something else entirely?
|
|
7
|
57
|
October 13, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Reset? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
6
|
54
|
October 13, 2026
|
|
Like Walt, if you thought you had only 25 years to live and suffered from a debilitating disease, how many years of good health would make a Reset worth it?
|
|
8
|
53
|
October 13, 2026
|
|
If a loved one had a severe disability and lacked the mental capacity to decide, do you feel it’s okay for a guardian to choose to skip the Reset? What Reset-related laws might be beneficial to have in place, in your opinion?
|
|
4
|
30
|
October 12, 2026
|
|
Would you take more risks in your life before reaching 50, knowing you could Reset and any physical damage would be reversed? Would you fear the Reset stopping before your 50th birthday making any damage permanent?
|
|
4
|
34
|
October 11, 2026
|
|
Did you notice the hidden meanings in the characteristics of names (Ethan Lilian: "Fong-lived" & "Forever young," or Randall Wilkes as a nod to Stephen King antagonists Randall Flagg & Annie Wilkes)? Why do you suppose the author chose these names?
|
|
5
|
43
|
October 11, 2026
|
|
Ask the Author: Bill Smoot is in the house!
|
|
3
|
42
|
October 10, 2026
|
|
Would Randall have been the same person if his birthday had fallen on the second day, he didn't know he could skip the event, and he had reset himself?
|
|
3
|
33
|
October 10, 2026
|
|
Did you believe Chloe was justified in any of her actions? Was there truth to some of the things she said to Hadley?
|
|
11
|
95
|
October 8, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of All Her Beautiful Deaths? (No spoilers in this topic, please!)
|
|
22
|
209
|
October 8, 2026
|
|
Do you believe that James' sentence, the result of a plea deal, is just? If not, what would be a just sentence?
|
|
14
|
125
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
How has James changed by the end of the book? How has Allison changed?
|
|
7
|
64
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Allison plans a prison escape which would seem out of character to most who knows her. James acts out of character when he shoots Black Snake. Do you feel these actions are uncharacteristic, or do they align with what you know about Allison & James?
|
|
10
|
78
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
The author taught in the college program at San Quentin for 14 years. Before the publication date, he was fired from his (unpaid) position out of concern that he posed a security threat. Was this a justified position on the part of the prison?
|
|
11
|
88
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Did the book have an overriding "message"? If so, what was it?
|
|
8
|
79
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Which character did you like best? Which character did you most identify with? (These two questions may have the same answer, but not necessarily.)
|
|
15
|
118
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Our inborn character starts us on a path that is evident when we are young, but outside forces can divert us from our inborn destiny. What are the crucial moments at which external forces alter the course of the lives of Allison and James?
|
|
6
|
50
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend All Her Beautiful Deaths? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
7
|
71
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Despite the terrible loss of her parents and younger sister. Edith acknowledges the fact that her illness has "freed" her. Do you agree with her thoughts?
|
|
5
|
54
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
If you were making a movie or TV series of All Her Beautiful Deaths who would you cast as Hadley and Kit and why?
|
|
6
|
64
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Hadley and Elke clearly had a deep bond. with Hadley describing Elke as her "best friend." Do you think it's possible to have a "best friend" who is seventy years your senior?
|
|
19
|
145
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Were you aware of the Victorian practice of memorial photography before reading the book? If so, have you seen any of these photos? What do you think of this practice?
|
|
16
|
130
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Was Patrick’s wife justified in her jealousy? How do you think Patrick and Catherine’s relationship could have differed in the 21st century? Must best friends of the opposite sex lead to misgivings/jealousy by partners?
|
|
8
|
64
|
October 7, 2026
|
|
Were there any minor characters you especially liked or identified with?
|
|
10
|
90
|
October 6, 2026
|