THE BEACH HOUSE

 Jane Green is the internationally bestselling author of The Other Woman, Swapping Lives, and Second Chance. Before achieving great success with her first novel, Straight Talking, Green worked as a journalist in the United Kingdom. A mother of four, she currently resides in Connecticut with her partner and children. This is her tenth novel.

“Green gives you a clear sense of Nantucket’s weathered splendor and offers up a refreshing summertime getaway…best read on a deck chair somewhere.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“A sweetly memorable summer story, capturing the relaxing, renewing quality of life at the
shore. . .” —New Orleans Times-Picayune

“Breezy…deeply appealing.” —Connecticut Post

“Green’s best novel in years, a compelling, unputdownable read.” —Booklist

Nan finds a certain freedom in her old age that most women don’t even have in their youth. In what ways can old age be liberating for a woman? Do you know anyone like Nan? Do you hope to be like Nan?

For Nan, family extends beyond blood relations, from Sarah to the summer guests. Who in your own life do you recognize as family even if you’re not related? How and why do these relationships develop? Which relationships are stronger—those we have by birth or those we make during the course of our lives?

Choose the two characters you found the most compelling and map out their respective journeys through the course of the novel. What were the turning points in their stories? Why did you find these characters the most affecting?

Daff is conflicted by her love for her daughter and her enjoyment in their spending time apart from each other, and the same feeling, although not as delicately articulated, is clearly true for Jess as well. What is your opinion of Daff as a mother? Have you ever wanted to get away from your own family?

Identify each character’s major flaw as well as his or her most redeeming quality. What examples from the book best illustrate these traits?

Discuss the struggle each character experiences with fidelity; remember that fidelity is not only a romantic concern. What does it mean to be faithful? What are the differences (and, sometimes, conflicts) between being faithful to one’s self and to another person?

Both Daff and Daniel are returning to the singles scene after being married for many years, although they do so for different reasons. Contrast Daniel’s and Daff’s first attempts at romance. Does either of their experiences connect with your own?

Location can have great emotional significance, bringing us back to a memory or helping us become someone new. What does Windermere represent for each of the characters? Is there a place in the world that is meaningful for you in the same way?

Imagine you are writing another chapter of The Beach House that takes place five years after the novel ends. What would you include? What more would you like to know about these characters?

If you could ask Jane Green one question, what would it be?