The Tennis Partner is a memoir by Abraham Verghese, and so is penned in the first person, with Verghese narrating throughout. However, the Prologue is written in the third person and features a specific incident from the book. What is the significance of the narrative voice and the particular incident in the Prologue, and what does it contribute to the larger story?

Abraham arrives in El Paso looking forward to a fresh start as a newcomer. How do you think this context influences his journey and experiences in El Paso, as compared to David’s time there? In what ways does Abraham reinvent himself?

Rituals are an important part of both David and Abraham’s lives. Why do David’s rituals fail him, even as Abraham can make progress through his rituals?