Rune’s family is from Norway, and they moved to Georgia for Erik’s job. What is the significance of Rune’s Norwegian heritage? At some points in the novel, Poppy and Rune suggest that it is unlikely for a Norwegian boy and an American girl to fall in love. What does this difference add to their relationship?

The novel is told from the perspectives of dual protagonists, Rune and Poppy. Why does Tillie Cole choose this method to write the novel? What would be different if the story was told from only Rune’s perspective or Poppy’s?

Though Poppy’s illness is the obvious conflict of the novel, the more active conflict is between Rune, Erik, and James. Why do these three masculine figures fight for control of their families and Rune and Poppy’s relationship? What are Erik’s and James’s motivations for interfering in their children’s relationship?