Do you think Florence and Emily are as "far apart" as Florence thinks?

When Florence observes Emily through a restaurant window as she approaches their lunch date, she incorrectly assumes that Emily is consumed by shallow disappointment at not being able to attend a party. Florence thinks, "There had been times when she felt close to the girl, but not now. The little scene on the street, the phone pantomime, had reminded her of how far apart they were, in terms of how they lived and what they valued." (p. 268) Do you think Florence and Emily are as "far apart" as Florence thinks? Compare and contrast her situation with Saul to the relationship Emily is having with Justin, which in fact she ends in this scene as Florence looks on unaware. How is Emily's relationship similar or dissimilar to her mother's affair with Lev?

No, I think Florence and Emily are generational mirror images of each other. I think Florence is intrigued by Emily because she's sees a part of herself in Emily that she wants to reconnect with but too much has happened in life and she doesn't have the emotional energy to go back there. They both share a sassiness and a tenderness that covers and protects them but hinders deeper meaningful communication.

Florence was a torch bearer as an early feminist who helped open doors for her equally assured, intelligent and capable granddaughter Emily. They would have much in common if Florence weren't so prickly and off-putting and would allow herself to converse deeply with Emily.

Florence is so self-centered that she can't see anything in others that she doesn't choose to see. She assumes Emily is a typical, shallow teenager when, in reality, it is Florence who is the shallow, selfish person.
Emily is honest with Justin and refuses to take his angst on to herself. Florence seems to dwell in Saul's angst. In this situation, Emily is the stronger woman. Her mother's affair with Lev is closer to Florence's relationship with Saul in the aspect of selfishness and dishonesty. Florence doesn't care to know what other's think. She's only interested in what she thinks.

Emily and Florence are not far apart, the difference is their ages. Age changes outlook.

No, not really. I think Emily was intrigued by her grandmother and wanted to be closer to her but didn't know how to chisel down that wall around her. Florence, I think, was just afraid to let anyone, especially family, get close to her.

I agree with others, although they were generations in age apart, they were quite similar. If their communication were better, they may have discovered it.

I think Emily and Florence are similar but I think that Florence has a wall around which blocked Emily from getting as close as she would have liked..

Not at all. i think Emily is a strong branch off Florence's family tree, she is just so much less experienced and worldly. At the same age Emily will probably be as strong if not stronger, and more emotionally mature. I see Emily having better relationships with her family and other people, and not being so afraid of letting people "in".

I believe that Florence lets her perception of Emily put distance between them. All she sees is what is on the surface in the moment.

No. But Emily is the more perceptive and intelligent of the two. Florence, for all of her knowledge and fact spewing, knew very little of human nature.

No, I think they have a lot in common - but are coming at ideas from very different age-based points of view.

It is a loss for both that Florence seems closed to communication. They have much in common besides blood ties.