The word “normal” comes up several times in this novel: Marianne thinks of her family as abnormal, and she and Connell both yearn at various times for what they see as normalcy. Do you think that they achieve it? How does their conception of normalcy change over the course of the novel?

Why is Connell drawn to Helen Brophy, his girlfriend for a time? How does their relationship differ from his relationship with Marianne? What ultimately drives them apart? 

Politics and social issues are a part of the background of this novel. The author alludes to the 2008 financial crisis, and Connell and Marianne are engaged with the issues of their day, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. How does the novel’s concern with power imbalances and social justice manifests itself in the story of Connell’s and Marianne’s romance?