The idea of waking up in a strange room, attached to machines, not recognizing anyone is pretty terrifying. I don't know how I would embrace waking up with no memories of my life. I know I would feel grateful to be alive and relatively unharmed but the loss of so many memories, ahh..
I guess, like Nell, I'd have to embrace the 'new me' otherwise I'd spend a lot of time harping on what I didn't have (memories). I also don't know how I would react to relying on some pretty unreliable narrators of my past to fill in the blanks.
1. The book opens with a playlist, The Best of Nell Slattery. What songs have profound meaning in your life?
2. Each member of Nell’s family has his or her own agenda in helping Nell “re-create” her past. Do you sympathize with any of their motives?
3. Nell’s amnesia gives her the opportunity to reassess her life and start over. Imagine yourself in Nell’s shoes: would you rather have a blank slate or know the truth about your past?
4. We accompany Nell from her first confused moment, when she wakes up in the hospital, to when she discovers big secrets about her family history. How do your feelings and perceptions of Nell change as she uncovers new facts about herself and as her personality is revealed? How does the author’s willingness to show Nell in both good and bad light create a more vivid portrait of her character?
5. Throughout the course of the novel, Nell makes some decisions based on what she (thinks she) knows and some decisions based on gut feelings. Which is more successful for her: knowledge or instinct? Which do you find more reliable in your life?
6. What are your thoughts so far on Nell's mother? Her sister? Peter? Anderson? Jasper?
Catch ya back on the 1st for the last discussion! Thanks for reading along! ;)
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