Discussion
Questions:
1|
At the beginning of the book, Lucy describes that her desire for Josh had grown into a desire to give him the life that he wanted. She states that she was thrilled at the chance to be the doting wife in the traditional storybook life that he described. Later, she finds herself disconnected from the life that she had dreamt of. Was her relationship with Josh an example of traditional gender roles, or did Josh’s role in the marriage cross over into manipulative and controlling?
2|
Eva was easily enamoured with Lucy, and the two quickly bonded. Eva felt concern over Lucy being away from her family and, shortly after their friendship had formed, expressed regret over not having a family of her own. Did Eva see Lucy as a fast friend, or were her feelings for Lucy of a maternal nature?
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3|
Frank describes Josh’s efforts to be with Lucy as “cute, at first”. Josh is not the first person to make special efforts to get closer to a woman he is interested in - what is the difference between Josh’s actions and the typical “chase” at the beginning of a relationship?
4|
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Carla ties her hovering habits to the postpartum struggles she experienced after Griffin’s birth and fails to separate his challenges from her own. She suggests that parenting was much easier when the job involved taking a constant watch over him. On the day of Griffin’s move, she is surprised to find that she is excited for her empty nest. What do you think helped Carla to let go, and finally award Griffin with the independence he was longing for?
5|
Lucy finds satisfaction “playing God” in her garden, deciphering the flowers from the weeds, while Eva prefers the untouched wilderness of the forest, fascinated with how nature regulates itself. Is Eva’s decision not to treat her cancer an example of “playing God” or letting nature regulate itself?
6|
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Carla’s initial attempt to meet Lucy is motivated by her desire to check up on Griffin, and Lucy senses Carla’s lack of interest in her over their brief coffee visit. Shortly after, Carla suspects that Lucy is involved in poisoning her dog. When Lucy explains to her neighbours what Josh has done, Carla is the one to suggest calling the police, and it is Carla who calls her “insane” after hearing her plan. Why does Carla ultimately decide to put herself at risk to help Lucy?
7|
In Eva’s letter to Lucy, she apologizes and implies that her final act was a self-serving one. She states that Lucy has saved her from an “increasingly empty life”. Was Eva’s decision selfish or did you sympathize with her?
8|
Eva thought that the investigation of Helen’s death was skewed because she was elderly, and she describes experiencing ageism in the community. She volunteered to start the fire, explaining that it would be “all too easy for her to get away with it”. Her neighbours easily agree that she will be judged less harshly because of her age. In the end, Eva decides to leave the letter from Helen for the police, revealing that she knew Josh. What are Eva’s motives for leaving this letter?
9|
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Lucy sleeps in her clothing instead of pyjamas from the day she discovers that Josh has poisoned Treble. She knows in her heart that Josh is responsible for Helen’s death, though she never finds the solid proof that she would need to convince the police. With her plan in motion, Lucy correctly assumes that Josh will drive home from Jasper once informed by Ed that Lucy is leaving him and returning to Ontario. Why does she take Josh furiously beating his steering wheel as proof of his guilt? Why does she resume wearing pyjamas once she sees Josh in handcuffs on the news?
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