Chapter 1 opens in 1962 while Chapter 2 jumps ahead almost 50 years. The novel continues to move forward and backward in time, sometimes seamlessly and sometimes abruptly. What is the effect of using this nonlinear chronology to tell the story rather than using a more straightforward narration?

There are multiple points of view telling this story, but Franny Keating has the central voice. How would the story’s themes change if another character was the central narrator?

Compare and contrast the two parties of the book: the California party at the beginning of the book celebrating Franny’s christening, and the Virginia Christmas party at the end of the book, both of which are hosted by Beverly. How do these events speak to the structure and themes of the book?