Discussion Notes
[fret not, no spoilers down below!]
- Is there something you think Sarah could have done to follow the psychic’s advice, “you must meet him!”?
- How did the death of Sarah’s father affect her decisions and her life? If he were still alive, do you think she would still be in LA working in show business? If so, do you think the story of her and Geoff might have played out differently or the same, just in a different setting?
- Should Amelie have told Geoff everything about his lost days? Why do you think she chose not to tell him?
- What kind of person do you find Geoffrey Dowager to be? – consider the people around him, the decisions he makes and the things he does and says away from Sarah. Compare his self awareness from the time in Paris to the time in Los Angeles.
- Niles appears only briefly in the story, but wields a significant influence over the ensuing events. He crosses a line at the sushi restaurant, one that he has apparently crossed before. How do we know this time is different for him?
- Sarah forgave Thomas for cheating on her. Do you think it is reasonable to believe trust can be restored, or even stronger after infidelity, or is this irrevocable damage to a relationship’s foundation?
- Set predominantly in the 80’s, how do you think things would have changed with the technological advances of the new millennium? Is Sarah’s fate effectively timeless, or the clash of being born at the wrong time?
- Leading up to her trip to Paris, Sarah shows little staying power with her relationships and her career. Why do you think she returns a different person, when by all outward signs, nothing in her life effectively changed?
- Consider the scene in the St. James Hotel elevator, where Sarah, Amelie and Geoff all share the same physical space again. Do you think things could have ended up differently?
- Through the course of the story, Sarah gets to fall in love several times over. What do you think is the most romantic gesture in the story?
- Do you agree with Sarah’s decision on who she chooses to be with and eventually marries? Why or why not?
- It is a subtle undercurrent, but Geoff loses his creativity for a period of time. What events mark the creative demon leaving him, and coming back to him?
Some Fun Stuff:
Write each question on a slip of paper and have guests draw one each. Now they can either informally “interview” other attendees with their question before things get started, or volunteer their own answer when discussion starts. Or send an email out with the following questions and compile the results to open discussion.
- Do you remember your dreams?
- Have you had a recurring nightmare?
- Do you dream in color?
- Ever fly in your dreams?
- What rock star did you have a crush on as a teenager?
- As a teen, did you get along with your mother?
- Did you know what you were going to do “when you grew up?”
- Ever pay to see a fortune teller?
- Do you believe in love at first sight?
- Have you ever been to Paris?
- Do you like to do things by yourself? Have you lived alone for any period of time?
- What is the most romantic thing you’ve ever done – like a movie moment?
TRIVIA Questions – how closely were you paying attention?
***SPOILERS BELOW***
1. What two time Oscar winning actress makes a cameo appearance late in the novel?
– Olivia deHavilland
2. Out of all the songs that start each chapter, which is the oldest?
– Dreaming, released in 1971
– Olivia deHavilland
– Dreaming, released in 1971
3. Who speaks the first words to the other in reality, Geoff or Sarah?
– “Are you all right?” Geoff to Sarah, outside her hotel room door
4. Were any of the psychics predictions accurate?
– “T” big love is Thomas
– Danger in meeting “soul mate”
– “Are you all right?” Geoff to Sarah, outside her hotel room door
– “T” big love is Thomas
– Danger in meeting “soul mate”
– Proximity to water does have an effect on the dangers Sarah encounters, and mitigates the damage done (passage over the English Channel heals and seals off all the impacts of her encounter with Geoff)
5. How many specific instances do we see Sara’s dreams or fantasies come to fruition?
– painting that goes up for auction
– 1st encounter with Geoff occurs in Lucerne
– featherless winged performance
– Going to see him at an Omni hotel
6. Of the many cities mentioned in the story, which cities does Sarah live and receive mail in?
– Milwaukee
X Chicago
X Los Angeles
– San Francisco
– New York
X Paris
– Lucerne
– London
7. What is the first physical creation inspired by Sarah & Geoff’s liaison?
– Angel of Light (painting of Sarah)
8. What color are Sarah’s eyes?
– Trick question; it is never mentioned in the book!
9. How many times is an apple referenced in the story?
Six:
– the orchard in the dream where they meet
– dream with featherless wings
– Checkmate concert
– lunch packed by Thomas
– apple carving on the train to Paris
– encore nightmare
10. How many days do Geoff and Sarah actually spend together during the “lost days”?
– THREE, from Friday afternoon in Paris to Monday afternoon outside of London