The Night We Lost Him

Research Laura Dave’s other novels. What parallels can you find between this text and her other books? What kinds of themes, narratives, symbols, and motifs typify Dave’s work, and how do they speak to her interests as a writer?

Discuss Cory/Grace’s relationship with Liam. Why might they have chosen not to marry, and what evidence from the text supports this? How do her consistent limitations on their relationship contribute to the novel’s themes?

Discuss this novel’s engagement with gender and female empowerment. What kinds of female characters does the author create? How might they counter stereotypes, and what broader argument does the author make about women in the male-dominated worlds of finance, real estate, and architecture?

Are there any healthy romantic relationships presented in this novel? Using evidence from the text, craft an argument about the way that dysfunction affects figures like Liam, his sons, Cory/Grace, and Nora individually.

Research domestic thrillers. Which elements of this novel’s plot, pacing, characterization, and suspense conform to genre standards? How does the author use mystery to explore themes that may be relevant to her intended audience?

Although deeply interested in romantic love, this novel also features several lifelong friendships. What broader argument does the author make about the importance of friendship and the role that it plays in shaping individuals?

Discuss the importance of setting in this novel. How do places like New York City and coastal California shape the narrative?

What broader arguments does this novel make about work-life balance and the perils of focusing too much on professional success? How do characters like Liam, Joe, Sam, Tommy, Nora, and even Cory/Grace navigate the demands of work as they clash with their personal commitments?