What Alice Forgot

What is the narrative significance of Alice falling and hitting her head during a spin class? Why did Moriarty choose this location and event to begin the story?

Do you believe that Alice and Nick would have repaired their relationship if not for Alice’s injury? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Alice experiences many changes in the 10 years between 1998 and 2008. In your reading, which single change made the biggest impact on her life? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

What is the function of parts of the story told from Elisabeth and Frannie’s perspectives? Did these sections elucidate your understanding of characters and their relationships?

How does Moriarty use the character of Elisabeth to explore the grief, trauma, and isolation suffered by those who suffer from infertility or miscarriage?

Do you believe that Alice and Elisabeth would have been able to repair their relationship if Elisabeth had not given birth to Francesca? Explain your response.

How do Gina and Mike contribute to Nick and Alice’s marriage problems? Are Nick and Alice right to compare themselves to another couple?

Moriarty often describes Alice’s thoughts as a stream of consciousness, with ideas and memories flowing into one another. Choose a passage and discuss how this narrative technique operates; how does Moriarty use language to make these sections effective?