Many love stories start at the beginning of a relationship, but Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years. What important takeaways did you see them learn about maintaining a happy relationship over the course of their night at La Fin du Monde?

Book Clubs Jane and Dan at the End of the World Discussion
1

Many love stories start at the beginning of a relationship, but Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years. What important takeaways did you see them learn about maintaining a happy relationship over the course of their night at La Fin du Monde?

2

I thought part of it was the safety and certainty. That is, of course, a plus and a minus – sometimes safe and certain also mean boring! That is what Jane was feeling. I think we too often expect our partners to do what is really our jobs: make our lives meaningful.

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3

It’s so important to talk when something is bothering you. And the other person in the relationship needs to listen and not judge. Once Dan and Jane started to finally communicate with each other it changed their relationship.

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4

I think sometime you need to be reminded of who your partner is. You do the same things every week. You have a routine. Sometimes it takes a shock to see past the ordinariness of your life.

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5

The most important thing that they learned at their anniversary dinner was the need to communicate. Other people - even long time spouses can’t read your mind and it’s important to talk about personal needs and feelings

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6

YES! Thinking it’s our partner’s job to “make us happy “is a recipe for disaster! We have to keep ourselves stimulated and surprised and always growing!

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7

It’s so easy to get in a rut & take each other for granted in a long marriage especially with children. (or caretaking of parents or other draining work)

8

I think Jane wanted Dan to make her happy. How concerned was she about contributing to his happiness? They’d grown apart and become more roommates than talking and nursing their relationship. The reunited with the common goal of overcoming the restaurant situation and the concern over their daughter. Hopefully that will carry over into the rest of their life together.

9

I think they grew to appreciate each other. I think they realized they did love each other in spite of their flaws. This experience certainly would have caused them to feel blessed they were not killed.

10

I saw some honesty and communication between Jane and Dan - that had been missing from their marriage.