Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What character did you like most in the novel, and why? What character did you like least, and why? Discuss specific moments in the novel that create duality within the characters, allowing them to be viewed in both a positive and negative light.

2. The novel has two climaxes: the moment when Arthur grabs Gid’s hand to save himself and the confrontation between Cam and Xander over Xander’s past. What was your reaction to each of these moments? What emotions were most prominent? Which moment surprised you the most, and why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Consider the novel’s two primary antagonists, Xander and Judge Bradley. Which character did you most sympathize with, and why? What aspects of your personal experiences allowed you to empathize with or better understand this character’s actions, emotions, and antagonistic nature?

2. What parts of the town of Alba did you most relate to? How are your own experiences in a small town, community, or social body like the Historical Society similar to those in the novel? Discuss how these connections helped you better understand Cam and/or Willow as a character.