Discussion Questions

  1. What does the title mean? (this line is on p.238)
  2. What is the cover image? How does it connect to the novel?
  3. How did you respond to the vignette format?  
  4. Why do you think we never learn the narrator/letter writer’s real name?
  5. Can you see the value in writing a letter to someone who can’t read? 
  6. What do you think was Little Dog’s reason for writing this letter?
  7. What was the contribution of Trevor to the development of the theme?
  8. How does the book explore the idea of inherited family trauma?
  9. Discuss Little Dog’s relationship with Paul, compared to those with his mother and grandmother. 
  10. Do you  feel connected with the narrator? Why or why not?