Keep

Haysom explores how physical objects and spaces can haunt us. Do you believe that Harriet’s possessions connect her to the past, or do they ground her in the present? Do you think these connections are enabling or disabling?

Haysom describes home staging as an “art of erasure.” What other forms of erasure does Harriet experience throughout the novel, and how might the staging of her home mirror these experiences?

Eleanor and Jacob are both recognized for their talents in home staging, yet their approaches are quite different from one another. What insights might this provide into their dispositions? Whose approach do you think would work best, and why? Keep by Jenny Haysom BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS

Eleanor is floored when Lawrence sells his cherished first edition copy of The Crying of Lot

Haysom writes, “it should have been music to her ears, but she felt a little sad” (258). Why do you think Eleanor has this reaction, despite her exasperation over Lawrence’s attachment to his books?

Towards the end of the novel, Harriet discovers that her poems are missing, and yet, the words somehow return to her in the dark of her house. How might you explain the revival of her memory?

Throughout the novel, Haysom explores the gendered roles and expectations associated with domestic life. How do Harriet and Eleanor each experience and navigate these pressures? What about Jacob?

Jacob contemplates how “possessions that once succoured or supported” can become “unwanted weight” (138). Discuss the relationships that Harriet, Eleanor, and Jacob each have with their possessions.

Keep sheds light on the importance of human connections of all kinds. How does Sheila Fitzhugh’s character relate to this theme, and why do you think she plays a more significant role at the end of the story?