Waiting for Eden Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, SERE and our BookBrowse Review of Waiting for Eden.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Who is the narrator of the novel? How does he know Mary and Eden's story? How does Ackerman's decision to narrate from this point of view deepen the reader's understanding of Mary and Eden's lives?
2. Examine the symbolism of the cockroaches. How does Eden understand their presence? What do they represent to him?
3. How would you describe Eden's level of consciousness? What does he register about his reality? To what extent is his perception of reality distorted? Is there anything he is sure of? Are the nurses correct in their assessment of Eden's level of consciousness?

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