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The Rest of You
An internationally award-winning writer makes her triumphant American debut in this emotionally powerful story--a potent blend of Queenie and The Vanishing Half--about a woman's journey to uncover a foundational family secret from the childhood she does not remember.
On the cusp of thirty, Ghanaian Londoner Whitney Appiah was born with a special gift. The massage therapist can physically sense where her clients' trauma lies and heal them. But Whitney has no idea that she too, is suffering. Tragic events from her youth have left a terrible, unseen mark. When a dangerous encounter with the man she's dating triggers a wave of fragmented recollections, Whitney embarks on a journey to reclaim her memories and the truth that is buried deep in her early years growing up in Kumasi, Ghana during the 1990s.
Spanning three decades, told through the viewpoints of Whitney, sisters Gloria and Aretha, and their house help Maame Serwaa, The Rest of You explores what happens when we try to move forward through the lacuna of our past.
A strikingly original novel inspired by the Twi proverb of Sankofa: looking back in order to move forward, The Rest of You is a story of generational healing, what it means to be Black British, and surviving familial migrant journeys. Tackling darkly serious themes yet full of hope and optimism, and told with an eye towards the future, Maame Blue's extraordinary tale is an unforgettable celebration of womanhood, friendship, and family.
This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with HarperVia.
Book club questions for The Rest of You by Maame Blue
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
If you could ask Whitney one question about her experiences, what would it be and why? How do you think her response would shape our understanding of her character?
Discuss the role that friendship plays in the narrative. How do positive female friendships impact the characters' journeys?
Throughout The Rest of You, Whitney's healing abilities as a massage therapist is a powerful metaphor woven throughout the novel. In what ways do her abilities influence her interactions with other characters, and how do those interactions further her personal growth and reconciliation with her past?
How do intergenerational dynamics between Whitney, her mother, and her family manifest throughout the story, and what impact do these relationships have on Gloria's understanding of herself?
The book takes us to the settings of Kumasi, Ghana and London, England. How do you think the setting contributed to the journey of the characters?
Discuss Gloria's relationship with her mother, Ma Gloria. How has their relationship evolved throughout the book?
Discuss the role of family in Gloria's life and decisions. How does her family drive the direction of her narrative?
What role do you believe faith and religion have in the lives and decisions of the characters in The Rest of You?
How do intergenerational dynamics between Gloria, her mother, and her children manifest throughout the story, and what impact do these relationships have on Gloria's understanding of herself?
Analyze how moments of reconciliation or understanding between family members serve as a catalyst for healing. Can you identify particular events that have a profound positive impact on the family?
Memory and nostalgia play important roles in shaping the protagonist's present. Why do you think memory holds such significance in the narrative?
Lastly, how does the author's writing style contribute to your overall experience and understanding of The Rest of You?
The Rest of You Book Club Questions PDF
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