Everything, Everything (Yoon) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for Everything, Everything …then take off on your own:

1. How would you describe Maddy's character? Despite her drastic isolation, she seems incredibly well grounded. How do you account for that? Carla tells Maddy that "you're the strongest, bravest person I know." Do you agree? In what sense is Maddy brave?

2. How would you cope if you were in Maddy's situation? Or if you were a mother of a child with SCID?

3. At one point, Maddy tells her mother, "I am not lonely I am alone. Those things are different." What does she mean? And do agree with her distinction between alone and loneliness?

4. Talk about the role that technology plays in Maddy's life. How does it connect her to the outside? How does it connect her with Olly, and how does it allow their relationship to develop?

5. How is Olly different from Maddy in terms of personality? What draws him to Maddy? In what way do the two serve as foils for each other: in other words, how does one highlight (almost in opposition) the character traits of the other?

6. Risking for love is a major theme of this story. Is love worth risking everything for? What do you think? Nearly everyone in this book risks something—what does each risk? When is risk worthwhile, and when is it irresponsible ...and how you can know which it is?

7. What do you think of Carla and the actions she takes in the novel? At one point, she tells Maddy that "doomed love is a part of life." Do you think she is being glib...or wise here?

8. Finally, talk about Madeline's mother. Oh, boy. What do you predict for the future of their relationship? What would you like to see happen?

9. This book asks the question, can you love someone too much? If you do, is it love?

(We'll add specific questions if and when they're made available by the publisher.)

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