ICE Breakers
THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY
BOOK OF THE MOMENT
Artie is 57 years old. Did he seem older than his years? Or was his character designed to offer a reflective lens on the world?
Teachers offer inspiration and can leave lasting impressions on their pupils. Do you have any teachers who affected your own career path? How important is this relationship to us all and do we give our teachers enough credit for their contribution to your own choices in life?
Were you surprised by Artie’s shoplifting? Is this a flaw in his character or does it make him seem more credible?
Can he still be a role model to his pupils?
How does this story of Artie compare to other characters developed by Strout?
CATCHER IN THE RYE
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Did you enjoy revisiting this modern classic and how did it live up to your memories and expectations?
Despite being 75 years old, do you think teenagers could still relate to this novel?
Today, Holden would be classified as on the spectrum and given support. As such, do you think teenagers like Holden are allowed to suffer like he did?
Do you think that Holden’s family are there for him more than he thinks and as such he’s being ungrateful or this is a case of someone who doesn’t fit in being sent from school to school to avoid confronting the problem?
How significant is the death of his elder brother to Holden’s situation?
Holden has a breakdown in front of his younger sister Phoebe. Why do you think Phoebe is able to pinpoint Holden down and get him to open up more to her than anyone else? Is it because she is family or because she is a child and has the freedom to be direct?
What did you make of the scene with Mr Antolini?
Do you think the novel is more powerful because there are no film adaptations or would you like to see a screen version?
CULPABILITY
How did you find Noah as the narrator of the story?
The family suffer from survivor’s guilt – do you think this is made worse by Charlie’s decision to take control of the car?
How do you think we need to adapt to understand and embrace AI without risking our own culpability?
Do you think the family were going to be ok in the end?
Do you see a future where our own cars could be the crucial witness against us?
Is AI making it impossible to hold anyone responsible for wrong doing?
Did you reach a conclusion on the culpability? Did AI save the family? Or did Charlie’s intervention kill the passengers in the other car?
Did you see hope in this story?
THE WILD CARD