For book clubs who are interested in discussing The Divide we offer the following discussion questions to spark conversation about this book:

Discussion Questions

1. In the beginning of the novel, when Ben and Sarah go to Montana to identify Abbie’s body, did you feel that Sarah’s treatment of Ben was justified? Did your opinion of her treatment of Ben change during the course of the novel? Discuss.

2. On page 59, Sarah tells Ben that Abbie’s death is his fault. She eventually rescinds the comment, but do you think Abbie’s death is in fact Ben’s fault? Do you think the blame lies on any of the Coopers? How do they perpetuate a cycle of blame and guilt amongst themselves? How, in the end, do they break the cycle?

3. When Ben thinks of Eve’s house, “he liked it too because it was Eve’s and even more because it wasn’t his. It made him feel—as Pablo also made him feel—unencumbered, that his association was entirely of his own choosing” (pg. 34). Given Ben and Sarah’s family, why is it important to Ben to feel unencumbered in his new life with Eve? How is it different? What does Eve offer him that Sarah could not?

4. Do you think Ben is right to leave Sarah? Did you find him a sympathetic character? Is Sarah sympathetic? Did you find yourself taking sides in the battle of their relationship? Who, in the end, did you relate to? Why?

5. When Ben tells his sister Sally that he’s leaving his family, Sally says, “I mean, we’re all unhappy! Every couple I know. I don’t know of a single goddamned marriage that I could put my hand on my heart and say was happy” (pg. 308). Do you think that it’s impossible to be happily married? Do you think this novel is fair to marriage? Is this an accurate depiction of the ways men and women relate to and understand each other?

6. Why is Josh’s reaction to Ben leaving to drastically different than the reaction of his mother and sister? In what ways does he actually thrive in the destruction of his family? Why do you think that happens?

7. Track Abbie’s decent into serious trouble. Why does she go to college in Montana instead of on the East Coast? What pushes her from casual protestor to ecoterrorist? What is she trying to accomplish? Why do you think a pretty girl from a wealthy family would choose to risk her future?

8. Why is Abbie attracted to Rolf? What does he offer her that she can’t find elsewhere? Do you think she would have gotten involved with Rolf if Ben hadn’t left, or is that just an excuse?

9. Discuss Abbie’s relationship with Ty. Do you think Abbie loves Ty? Does Ty truly love Abbie? How is their relationship a catalyst throughout the story? How does it change Abbie’s life for the better? For the worse?

10. Do you think it is right for Sarah and Ben to give Abbie money when she asks for it? Do you think, in the same type of situation, you would do the same thing? Why do Sarah and Ben never give up hoping that Abbie will return to them? Why does Abbie go into hiding instead of going to the police?

11. Why does Abbie ultimately decide to turn herself in? Do you think that she would have if Rolf had not found her?

12. Why does Sarah finally forgive Ben? In what ways do each of their children help them find reconciliation?

13. Why is this novel called The Divide? How are the Coopers divided throughout the course of the story? How do they bridge the divides between them? Do you think such divisions exist within all families? Discuss.