Manhattan Beach

Describe the tension between the reinforcement and subversion of traditional gender roles in Egan’s novel. How does a character like Anna straddle both worlds?

Anna and her father have different perceptions of the sea. How do these initial perceptions foreshadow the events to come?

Although none of the characters fight in World War II’s major battles, how does the war shape their lives and the society they inhabit?

What do the characters’ relationships with Lydia reveal about them? How do Eddie’s feelings for Lydia evolve, and how does that change his character arc?

Describe how sexuality is portrayed in the novel, both in terms of how the characters perceive their own sexuality and how they view the sexuality of others. How do Anna’s feelings about her own sexual experience change from the time she’s 14 to the time she moves to California? 

Who are the underdogs in Manhattan Beach, and what characteristics define them? How do the underdogs differ from one another, and how are they similar? What do they learn about cooperation vs. competition?

Describe the acts of deception that take place in Dexter’s boathouse. How does deception affect the novel’s plot and the development of its characters?

To what extent does Egan portray Dexter Styles as a sympathetic character? With close reference to the text, give reasons for your answer.