Lucy by the Sea

Early in the novel, Lucy moves from New York City to rural coastal Maine. Trace Lucy’s developing relationship with nature, considering how this contributes to the overall meaning of the novel.

When William finds a tower on the coastline near their house, he is immediately intrigued. What does the tower represent to William, and how does it prompt him to confront his own past?

Analyze both Lucy and William’s character. What are some of their defining traits? How do they transform during the course of the novel? How do they act as foils of one another?

How is Becka’s pandemic experience different from her family’s? Why does Strout choose to include this experience, and how does it contribute to the novel?

How does Strout explore race in the United States in Lucy by the Sea? Consider Lucy’s personal experiences, as well as the larger historical events taking place at this time.

Discuss Strout’s choice to write a book about the pandemic in which the protagonist, instead of staying in New York and experiencing it firsthand, escapes to rural isolation. Why did Strout choose to approach the topic in this way, and what opportunities does it afford her and the reader?

In a few instances throughout the novel, Lucy describes having a sudden “vision.” What are some examples of Lucy’s visions? What is Strout trying to say about Lucy with this trait?

Lucy considers the issue of free will versus determination at several points in the novel. What conclusions does she come to? Why does Strout choose to bring up this issue, and how does it intersect with the novel’s themes?