The book features three interwoven narrative threads: Adam’s reflections on his life before the ghetto, the present-day timeline of events, and his interviews with different ghetto residents. Trace how these three threads interact with each other to explore a variety of ideas and perspectives at different points in the story.

Comment on the title of the book. How does the title relate to each of the central themes of the book? Does it suggest any contradictory ideas in relation to these themes?

Although Adam is the protagonist of the book, he is somewhat removed from the events around him at times by his role as an observer and narrator. How does Grodstein achieve this perspective, and what effect does it have on the reading of the story?