Joni Page

1. As the novel begins, Candice lacks understanding about herself but has the courage to find out. Her reflections about her wider community, as the book progresses, shape her ideas about the way forward. Why do you think she places a greater emphasis on romantic relationship rather than other important facets of her life?  

2.  On page 60, Kat sums up Candice’s life. Candice believes she is correct without hesitation. How much is Kat’s opinion a reflection of her own priorities in life rather than Candice’s? What positive things could Candice have reflected on instead? How much should we listen to others and how much to ourselves? Did Kat’s summary nonetheless help Candice to get motivated to change her life?  

3. Do you think Kat and Thor can continue to bridge their differences? Will Kat be able to continue to follow Thor’s health advice? How will Thor react if she doesn’t? How will Kat manage herself if they have a disagreement?

4. There are a number of people who briefly come into Candice’s life and represent different facets of romantic relationships. Examples are Joe, Ziggy’s patient; Zane, Daisy’s brother; the woman in the bathroom at the pub; Buff, Kat’s housemate; and the Chorus of Husbands at the pub. What do you think each of these characters represent?  What do these characters bring to Candice’s evolution, or to the greater picture of her ideas about relationships?

5. Ashton and Judith each had big life-shifting decisions to make when they met. Do you think they made the right decision? Why?

6. At one point, Candice confronts the circumstances surrounding her own conception. What purpose does this serve in Candice sorting out how she feels about herself?

7. Ziggy runs a difficult line between his professional and personal life several times throughout the book. Do you think he has managed to remain professional as needed?

8. Many characters in the book have faced difficult situations and even trauma in their lives, and have their own ways of dealing with it. Candice says, “We’re all fine despite the damage”. Why do you think psychology was so helpful when people were managing in their lives anyway? Do you think people find ways to “manage” that fail to address underlying issues?  

Some reflective questions follow…

9.  Candice has a number of ways of seeking solutions to her problems throughout the book. Do you do any of these? What do you do when you have a big problem to solve?

10. Candice faces her disappointments with persistence. Do you think she is representative of most people? Do you think people can build persistence? Have you had to manage disappointments? What has been most successful for you?

11. Have you ever made a concerted effort to achieve something, or started a different career? How did you go about it? What was the outcome?

12. Have you ever had a love affair with someone different to you, in skillset, age, or life experience? How did you handle the difference?

13. Have you ever had an instant attraction to a stranger? What did you do about it?

14. Have you ever had a friendship with someone who was wildly different to you? What characteristics do Candice and Kat have that you love in your own friends?