A heart-breaking, funny, thought-provoking and honest novel to read with your book club.
I’ll Leave You With This is a story about the O’Shea sisters who come to grieve their brother Daniel’s death by tracing the many recipients saved by his donated organs. In exploring Daniel’s legacy and the tangled bonds of sisterhood, this book explores family relationships, the ups and downs of life, hope and humour.
Discussion points and questions
- What do you think of Clare’s idea to track down the recipients of Daniel’s organs?
- Is flesh just flesh, as Allison contends, or does it hold meaning even after death?
- Why do you think the sisters aren’t closer? Do you believe this will change in the future?
- Is Bridie out of line in suggesting her documentary? Why or why not?
- Joel’s friendship is one of the few things the O’Shea sisters have in common, and he attends all the family events in the book. Why has this connection endured? Were you surprised by his proposal to Clare?
- Like Joel, John Thomas once ‘belonged’ to Daniel, and thus the four women all feel attached to him, yet none is able, or willing, to keep him. What does this say about each of them?
- Is Emma overreacting when she leaves the MOO? Explain your reasons.
- How do you feel about organ recipients and the family of the deceased meeting? Do you think this is dangerous, as Marion from the Organ and Tissue Donation Service warns, or should it be facilitated?
- Do you believe that recipients can ever take on the characteristics of their donors?
- Have you registered as an organ donor, or thought about it?
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