The Shock of The Fall Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Down Syndrome and our BookBrowse Review of The Shock of The Fall.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Discuss Matthew's relationship with his parents. How does it change throughout the novel?
   


2. Why does Matthew need to tell his story? Is the act of writing a cathartic process?
   


3. How does Matthew portray life in the psychiatric ward? Were you shocked by any of the descriptions?
   

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of St. Martin's Griffin. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.