Religion and a turning away from religion is a constant theme throughout the novel. Choose two scenes from two separate stories that show this theme clearly. What was happening in each scene? Who are the characters involved? What caused their questions in faith or their strengthening of faith? Why?

The thoughts and emotions of children are presented throughout the book in a much more passionate and clear way than those of adults. For example, Willi's emotions on seeing his mother's infidelity rage from anger to hatred to jealousy to grief; whereas, Gay's feelings of his wife's possible infidelity seem more muted. Why do you think the author's use such strong emotional confusion in children? How does this help the storyline? Can you think of other examples? What are they?

In several stories in the novel, such as "Walking Out," "The Ledge," "Murderers" and others...