Harvesting the Heart (Picoult)

Book Club Discussion Questions
1. Paige remembers her father saying over and over again “Life can turn on a dime.” Nicholas remembers his father used to say “Life turns on a dime.” What do they mean by that phrase? Do you agree?

2. Paige’s art is a catalyst for events throughout the novel. Discuss how her pictures help mold her life.

3. When Paige becomes pregnant with Max, she says she doesn’t know how to be a mother because she never had one. Can you be a good mother if you didn’t have a mother?

4 . When Nicholas saves the patient’s life (p. 80), he is a hero. When his father brings his girlfriend to the ballgame (p.120), Nicholas wants his father to be able to save someone so he is a hero. Discuss how we all need heroes? What do we need them to do? How do doctors often attain such a status?

5. At the Halloween Ball, Nicholas tells the others that he met Paige “waiting tables.” Why does she feel so betrayed and hurt? Would you feel that way?

6. How different are Paige’s parents? How different are Nicholas’ parents?

7. Nicholas’ father married wealth. So did Paige. How do they each handle it? How are they alike? How are they different?

8. The novel is divided into three parts: Conception, Growth, and Delivery. How is each part an analogy of birth?

9. Nicholas lies that he has been called to the hospital so he can leave after caring for Max for an hour (p. 186.) He’s feeling the same way Paige is but he gets to leave. Is Paige justified in leaving later?

10. Nicholas doesn’t understand why Paige is upset being with Max all day since he is the one working on his feet, keeping his reputation intact, and saving lives. How common is this thinking in today’s world? In our parents’ generation? Has it changed?

11. When Max falls off the couch, Paige feels terrible and is relieved he’s okay. Nicholas assumes that Paige is not taking good care of Max—possibly causing the fall. How unfair does that seem to strike you?

12. It is obvious that Nicholas and Paige were no way near prepared to be parents. How does that affect their relationship?

13. When tossing Nicholas’ shirts from the car when leaving, Paige is metaphorically tossing off her old life. Have you ever done that or wanted to do that?

14. It is interesting how Nicholas is ready to fall apart trying to deal with Max and asking the Candy Striper for help. Discuss the irony that he didn’t think Paige needed help but now HE needs help.

15. How do we know Paige’s dad has always loved her mother?

16. On page 306, the contradiction of guilt: those mothers who work feel guilty leaving their children yet Paige was able to stay at home with Max and wanted to be anywhere but there. How does the media play into all this today?

17. Paige asks her mother why she left. Her mother’s answer describes both herself and Paige. Discuss. (page 342)

18. How different is it between living the life you are expected to live and the life you want to live? Are they ever the same?

19. What brings Paige and Nicholas back together?

20. Both Paige and Astrid capture the world through their art, whether through charcoal drawings or through a camera lens. They both become famous in their own world. How does this make them alike? How does this make them different?

21. The author always has a double meaning in the titles of her books. What hearts are harvested in the novel, Harvesting the Heart?
(Questions from the author's website.)

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