CHAPTER 1

I was born blue.

If my mother hadn't pushed me out quick as a cat, I would have been born dead and even bluer; her cord was wrapped tight around my neck. She looked at my little blue lips, my blue toes and baby fingers, and she named me after Kali. Kali Jai.

My mother was in the middle of a six-month stint in juvie for shoplifting and possession when I was born. She had thirty-six hours with me in the hospital before the state took her to finish out her sentence. My grandparents— stiff, unhappy couple that they were— got temporary custody.

Kai told them my name, but my prune-mouthed gramma filled out the paperwork. Gramma would later claim to have misheard, saying, What I put on that birth certificate sounds like whatever that was you said, but in American. My mother didn't know until she was released back into her parents' custody. By then, everyone in town was calling me Paula Jane.

You were originally named for the mother goddess...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Paula Vauss is a tough-as-nails divorce attorney who doesn't place much stock in personal relationships. She describes her upbringing as "a Frankenstein's monster made of stolen parts..." How much of who Paula is today is a response to her childhood? 
   
   
2. After years of sending money to her estranged mother, Kai, Paula learns that Kai is dying of cancer and sends a cryptic message with the return of her last check. Are you surprised by her reaction to the news?
   
   
3. Why does the pro-bono work with young, underprivileged girls make her feel close to her estranged mother, Kai? How would you describe Kai as a mother?
   
   
4. Paula has spent the better part of her life beating herself up for calling...

Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers!

Here are some of the comments posted about The Opposite of Everyone.
You can see the full discussion here.


After her initial shock of learning she has a brother, Paula seems to accept the idea of Julian (and, eventually, Hana) into her life. Were you surprised by her acceptance?
I was not surprised in the least. Despite her assertions that she wanted no committed relationships as an adult, she mourned her broken relationship with her mother and wanted to find a way to change history to avoid the loss. - andreab

After Paula wins her case against Skopes she puts on a victory playlist and looked for a date. Do you have a special treat or ritual you celebrate victories with?
I treat myself to a bowl of ice cream when I successfully complete goals. I also work really hard to save $ to treat myself to trips to places I've never been & so that I can buy myself a piece of jewelry as a souvenir for each new place visited. - PiperUp

Almost dying
I agree wholeheartedly with rebeccar, Paula needed and had to have a wake up call if this story was to end in the right direction. Paula was too sure of herself when it came to "hook-ups" and she needed a wake up call.Funny as the scene began the ... - caroln

Are you surprised by Paula's reaction to the news that her estranged mother is dying?
I recently went through this in my life with with my father and my reaction was very similar to Paula's. Toxic or not your parent is still your parent. Even if you think that you've accepted and come to terms with the past, old wounds are opened, ... - jillf

Did you like the "gritty" style?
Yes I think that it fit all of the diverse populations in this book. Sometimes Paula's skill to tell it like it is comes in handy. Unfortunately Paula's childhood taught her to know & see the "wrong" side of people. - tracyb