|
Prisons are often depicted in movies and novels with savagely violent inmates, abusive guards, and corrupt prison officials. The two prisons depicted in this novel are much less dysfunctional. Do you feel this book painted a more truthful depiction?
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9
|
71
|
October 18, 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.)
|
|
16
|
130
|
October 18, 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?
|
|
22
|
182
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Did Allison's journey toward coming out as a lesbian make her more likely to perform the extraordinary act of helping James?
|
|
20
|
155
|
October 18, 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?
|
|
26
|
221
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Do you believe that James' sentence, the result of a plea deal, is just? If not, what would be a just sentence?
|
|
16
|
141
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
How has James changed by the end of the book? How has Allison changed?
|
|
9
|
83
|
October 18, 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?
|
|
12
|
91
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Did the book have an overriding "message"? If so, what was it?
|
|
10
|
99
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Did any of the scenes move you to tears? To outrage?
|
|
17
|
138
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
The prologue reveals that an escape attempt will be made. As you read the book, did you have a feeling as to whether the attempt would succeed? What made you feel that way?
|
|
19
|
146
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
If you had to choose one word to describe the author's writing style, what would it be?
|
|
21
|
188
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Did you ultimately find this novel uplifting or depressing ? Why?
|
|
26
|
218
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Were there any minor characters you especially liked or identified with?
|
|
12
|
107
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
What scene(s) will remain the longest and the most vivid in your memory?
|
|
12
|
98
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Some have argued that a White author shouldn't write a point-of-view Black character, or similarly, authors shouldn't create characters outside their demographic. What's your opinion on this, both in general and regarding this novel in particular?
|
|
20
|
129
|
October 18, 2026
|
|
Did Tom do enough to earn Elena's forgiveness? Should she have divorced him? What would you have done in her place?
|
|
16
|
135
|
October 18, 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?
|
|
6
|
54
|
October 17, 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?
|
|
6
|
56
|
October 17, 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?
|
|
8
|
72
|
October 17, 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?
|
|
5
|
52
|
October 17, 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?
|
|
5
|
51
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
Think about the ramifications of going from 100 to 50 versus 50 to 25. What is the same? What is different?
|
|
7
|
73
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
Do you think people who skipped the Reset at 50 will be able to Reset if they reach 100? Why or why not?
|
|
6
|
63
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
Which aspects of the Reset event stood out to you the most (e.g., implants disappearing, organ donation reversals, lost limbs growing back)?
|
|
9
|
85
|
October 17, 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?
|
|
6
|
54
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
The book covers kidney transplants and casket rentals, among other aspects of the Reset. Can you think of other oddities or unintended consequences?
|
|
10
|
81
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
What might Cath have done had she lived past the age of 46?
|
|
7
|
69
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
Do you think the characters have expectations for their lives that are in line with their circumstances? Which ones expected too much or settled for too little?
|
|
10
|
86
|
October 17, 2026
|
|
Soon after Michael and Cath are married, he goes to California. Cath accuses him of breaching their vows, while Michael feels it’s necessary. Do you believe that he’s not living up to his promises by leaving? Do you think his departure was necessary?
|
|
10
|
77
|
October 17, 2026
|