Pearl is forced into the role of a single parent. To what extent do you believe that she succeeds in this role?

Throughout the novel, food and mealtimes are used as an extended analogy for the family’s travails. How does the text utilize food and mealtimes to help the audience understand the development of the characters?

Ezra takes charge of the titular Homesick Restaurant. In what ways does the restaurant become an embodiment of Ezra’s character?