A House With Good Bones

This novel borrows liberally from fairy tales. In what ways does the novel use and subvert fairy tale tropes? How does this fairy tale element impact the other elements of the story and the novel as a whole?

How do the epigraphs at the beginning of each part function? What do they contribute to the reader’s understanding of the characters, plot, or themes?

What are the benefits of telling the story from Sam’s first-person perspective? In what ways does Sam’s narration expand the reader’s knowledge of the events in the story and in what ways does it limit that understanding?

How does the narrative establish clues to the plot twists in the later sections of the novel? In what ways do these clues pay off during the climax?

In what ways do Gail and Gran Mae act as foils for each other? What larger point does the author suggest by juxtaposing these two characters? Use examples from the text.

What, if anything, does the character of Phil contribute to the novel? How might the story be different without him?

In what ways do the three overarching themes intersect and interact with each other over the course of the novel? Use examples from the text.

What does the novel have to say about the concept of home? How does this relate to the theme of family lineage? Explain using examples from the text.