Someone Else's Shoes

What influence does the urban setting of 21st-century London have on the characters and story?

All of the primary characters in the novel are parents. What role do their children play in shaping their actions?

Coincidence plays a major role in shaping the plot, but it also affects the tone of the story. What does the tone of the story convey about the nature of fate and destiny?

How do Nisha’s childhood experiences cause her to view her adult relationships in the form of transactions? Identify and analyze at least two examples in which her father’s “lessons” are evident in the way she relates to other men and/or women.

How does the introduction of Liz Frobisher complicate Sam’s and Nisha’s journeys of self-improvement? If Sam learns to stand up for herself from Nisha and Nisha learns to be more considerate of others because of Sam, how does Liz impact either woman?

It is suggested that the diamonds in Nisha’s shoes were blood diamonds smuggled from Africa. What does this detail reveal about Carl’s perspective on Nisha’s primary role in their marriage?

How does Sam and Nisha’s friendship compare with other friendships in the novel, such as the relationship between Jasmine and Nisha or Sam and Andrea?

What does Sam’s relationship with Joel reveal about the way she views herself, her marriage, and the development of her own personality traits?