THE WHOLE WORLD and THE START OF EVERYTHING are set in present-day Cambridge, England. THE WHOLE WORLD is narrated by five characters affected by the disappearance of a popular graduate student; THE START OF EVERYTHING is narrated by five characters whose actions uncover the identity and history of a dead woman found in the fens.
They're mysteries, and also explorations of how assumptions and expectations limit what each narrator is able to perceive and understand about the circumstances they share.
In case content is an issue, I can tell you that there is some swearing, some sexual interaction, and murder but no gore. Ultimately, I do think they are compassionate books.
I would love to speak with your group. Please contact me to arrange my participation with your group by phone or email.
Discussion Questions PDF for The Whole World (contains moderate spoilers).
"If your group is looking for a book that's a little different than typical book club fare, then I suggest THE WHOLE WORLD. It's definitely got some suspense and mystery elements, but there is also a great deal of character development and interesting things to discuss. There is a reading guide available which has some very interesting questions. Some of the topics you might want to explore include American versus British culture, relationships, friendships, and secrets. Ms. Winslow is also available to call into your book club meeting." -- Booking Mama
