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Book Jacket

The Dry

Winner of the 2017 BookBrowse Debut Novel Award

Summary and Reviews
Excerpt
Reading Guide

Discuss The Dry by Jane Harper

Some of the flashback scenes are shown to the reader a second time in a more expanded form as the novel progresses. What does this device show us about the reliability of the assumptions we had already made?

7

Jan. 08, 2018
by kimk

The fictional town of Kiewarra is the central setting of the novel. Did the town itself shape your view of or opinion about the people who live there and the events that take place there?

11

Jan. 15, 2018
by juliaa

How does Luke and Gretchen keeeping the secret about their whereabouts the day Ellie died affect their relationship with each other and with Falk? How does it impact the way the truth comes out about Ellie's death?

6

Jan. 15, 2018
by juliaa

How has growing up without a mother affected Falk's life? In what ways does this become especially apparent after moving to Melbourne? How do you think his life might have been different if his mother had survived?

5

Jan. 15, 2018
by juliaa

Why do you think Aaron is drawn to wild places? In the novel, what does the contrast between these places and those tamed by human habitation show us?

4

Jan. 15, 2018
by juliaa

The novel begins with a prologue that describes flies being drawn to the scene of the murders. Why is this approach such a powerful way to introduce the events of the novel?

22

Jan. 17, 2018
by charleneds

Is it better for some secrets to be kept? Have you ever kept a secret that you later wish you hadn't?

10

Jan. 18, 2018
by tswaine

Do you think it is true that death rarely changes how we feel about someone?

22

Jan. 22, 2018
by tswaine

Why do you think Gretchen is so reluctant to tell Falk who Lachie's real father is? Who do you think it is?

27

Jan. 22, 2018
by tswaine

Do you prefer small-town living or urban living? Have you ever lived in a small town? What do you think are the positives and negatives of a small town's tight-knit community?

16

Jan. 23, 2018
by scottishrose

The story is told in the past tense and third person, from Aaron Falk's point of view, and with flashbacks from various characters threaded throughout. What is the effect of this? How does it shape your understanding of Aaron and the other characters?

15

Jan. 23, 2018
by scottishrose

Overall, what did you think of The Dry?

43

Jan. 23, 2018
by scottishrose

Do you think the drought’s effects on the town made people less likely to question what happened to the Hadlers? Why or why not?

20

Jan. 23, 2018
by scottishrose

Do you think that leaving town was the right way for Erik Falk to deal with the situation he and Aaron were facing? How did his father's doubts about him affect Aaron?

12

Jan. 24, 2018
by tswaine

Why do you think Raco decided to trust Falk and allow him to help with the investigation?

17

Jan. 26, 2018
by andreab

How did the drought color your impressions of Kiewarra, its residents, and the Australian bush?

6

Jan. 28, 2018
by caslyn

How about the quality of the book

0

Jan. 28, 2018
by barrye

Falk's adult relationships have not been what he hoped. Do you think events surrounding Ellie's death and his relationship with Ellie in life affected his ability to engage with people, and if so, in what ways?

7

Jan. 28, 2018
by barrye

What do you think the storyline says about the nature of secrets, and the need for truth?

9

Jan. 28, 2018
by barrye

What is it that spells the end of Luke and Falk's friendship? Do you think they would have remained friends if they hadn't lied about where they were at the time of Ellie's death, and/or if Luke had told Aaron where he really was in the first place?

8

Jan. 28, 2018
by barrye

In spite of their long friendship, Falk cannot quite rule out that Luke might have committed the murders of his wife and son. In what ways do you think that Luke differed from Grant Dow? What was it about Luke that made people think him capable of murder?

5

Feb. 06, 2018
by tracyb

The Dry?

3

Feb. 06, 2018
by tracyb

Sorry, The Dry by Jane Harper is closed for new posts.
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