Book Club Discussion Questions for Crossing the River by Carol Smith

Book Club Discussion Questions

Print PDF

In a book club? Subscribe to our Book Club Newsletter and get our best book club books of 2025!



For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Grief Memoirs and our BookBrowse Review of Crossing the River.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. What story reported on by the author had the most impact for you and why?
2. Which profile, if any, did you relate to most and why?
3. Could you have covered the stories the author did? How did this book make you feel?
4. How would you describe the author's personal journey throughout the book?
5. "Crossing the river" is a metaphor that illustrates the experience of navigating grief; how would you describe the other side of that "river"?
6. Many people feel a guilt over surviving when a loved one dies. How can we deal with that feeling? Why is it easier for some than others?
7. What do you think friends or family who are supporting a loved one through a loss can learn from this book?
8. When has someone else's story helped you come to terms with something in your own life? Why do you think storytelling helps us in this way?

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