What Alice Forgot

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Does Alice’s memory loss suggest that either the 29-year-old or the 30-year-old version is the “real” her? What does this suggest about how the novel treats a sense of self?
• Does the novel suggest that losing her memory was the only way for Alice to improve the relationships in her life? Does it argue, for example, that she and Nick would have reunited if she’d never lost her memories?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Elisabeth feels shame for her infertility, despite not being at fault. Have you ever felt guilty or embarrassed over something you could not control? What do you think led those emotions, and how did you react?
• For Alice and Elisabeth, a “happy ending” means marriage and children. Is this your version of a “happy ending”? If you are married with children, does this feel like an “end” to your narrative?
• If you lost your memories, do you think it would change the core of who you are? Why or why not? What do you think would change?
• Do you consider parenthood part of your identity? How big a part? What other parts of your identity do you hold dear?
• Several characters in the novel suffer from anxiety that arises from comparing themselves to their peers.