Book Club Discussion Questions for Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach is the perfect pick for your book club, thanks to the fabulous character development, a sensitively written young, female protagonist, and a plot that might break your heart. It also calls into consideration big questions about forgiveness, regret, and love. To kick off your reading group’s conversation — or, simply, to get your own thoughts going — dig into these discussion questions. Note: Spoilers below! Only read through the questions if you’ve finished the book. 

1. Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance is a sister story, a love story, and the story of a family rebuilding itself. How did the different threads enhance each other and which of them did you find the most compelling or moving?
2. How does the story benefit from being told from Sally’s perspective, the younger of the two siblings? What did you make of Sally’s direct address to her sister throughout the book?
3. How does Sally and Kathy’s relationship change over the years, before Kathy’s death? How does Sally and Kathy’s relationship change after Kathy’s death?
4. Is it reasonable that Sally’s family blames Billy for the crash? Why or why not?
5. How does Kathy’s death change Sally and Billy’s relationship? How does the novel explore trauma bonding through Billy and Sally’s budding relationship?
6. Sally has to mature quickly because of Kathy’s death, especially as her mother becomes very needy. How does this stunt Sally’s own personal growth? How does it affect the decisions she makes in her adult life?
7. There is a lot of plant and tree imagery throughout the novel — Bill’s Tree and Garden, the Norwegian maple trees in Sally and Kathy’s backyard, Billy’s neck tattoo of vines. What is the significance of this theme?
8. Kathy believed in ghosts. How does the development of Hurricane Kathy at the end act as a ghost-like presence? In what way is a ghost similar to grief?
9. Were you rooting for Billy and Sally to get together? Why or why not?

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance

by Alison Espach

For insight into the author’s inspiration, perfect wine pairings, a delectable cake recipe and more, check out the Page & Pairing guide to Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance.

Questions courtesy of Macmillan Publishers