Home Again

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel blends medical drama with a complex family saga and romance. Which of these elements did you find most compelling, and how effectively do you feel the author balanced them?

2. This story was Kristin Hannah’s first contemporary novel after a series of historical works. How does Home Again compare to her more recent historical fiction, like The Nightingale or The Great Alone? If you’ve read her other books, did you notice any differences in her storytelling or thematic focus?

3. The central premise hinges on a the high-stakes, dramatic event of a life-saving transplant. Did you find this setup emotionally powerful, or did it ever feel overly melodramatic for you?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The characters rely on public personas as a form of protection. Angel has his “movie star” identity, Madelaine has her “perfect physician” composure, and Lina has her “rebel” attitude. Have you ever projected an outward identity as a protective or coping mechanism? Why did you do this? Did it work for you and how did it affect you in the longer term?

2. Angel is convinced he’s unworthy of a second chance and is terrified he will only cause more pain. Think of a time when you felt hopeless or apathetic about yourself. What helped you to gain a renewed sense of agency and self-belief?

3. The novel explores the significance of relationships between parents and children. What impact has your own relationship with your parents had on you and the choices you have made?

4. For Angel, “homecoming” represents a confrontation with a past he fled, while for Lina, it’s a search for genetic roots. What does the concept of “coming home” mean to you? 

5. Madelaine makes the agonizing decision to donate Francis’s heart to Angel. When have you faced an ethical dilemma? How did you navigate this choice and do you think you made the correct decisions?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Home Again is set in the 1990s, capturing the rise of an invasive tabloid media culture with outlets like the Enquirer and Hard Copy. How does the novel’s portrayal of celebrity privacy and media intrusion compare to our current social media-driven celebrity landscape?

2. The narrative gives a detailed look at the medical and ethical world of heart transplantation in its earlier days. What aspects of the organ donation process stood out to you? How does Hannah’s grounded, emotional approach to the topic compare to more speculative explorations of organ donation and identity, such as in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go?

3. The story portrays Francis, a Catholic priest, as a deeply human and complex figure who serves as the family’s moral compass while privately nursing an unrequited love. How does this depiction of a religious figure reflect concepts and attitudes around religion, especially Christianity, in modern American culture?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. In what ways does the novel adapt the popular romance trope of the “fated lovers” to create narrative momentum towards a “fated family” finale?

2. How does the novel explore the teenage experience? What effect did parallels between the teenage Lina and the young Madelaine, Angel and Frank have on its exploration of coming of age?

3. Let’s talk about the shifting narrative perspectives between Angel, Madelaine, Lina, and Francis. How did this technique shape your understanding of each character’s private struggles and motivations? Did it create any powerful moments of dramatic irony for you as a reader?

4. Francis dies midway through the book, yet his presence remains a powerful force. In what ways does he continue to guide the plot and influence the other characters’ development after his death?

5. Consider the novel’s use of specific settings. How do locations like the porch swing, Madelaine’s abandoned childhood home, and Francis’s gravesite become emotionally charged spaces that deepen our understanding of the characters’ journeys?

6. What was your reaction to the epilogue being told from Francis’s perspective? Do you feel this choice provided a satisfying and fitting conclusion to the family’s story?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The family adds painted handprints to a Thanksgiving tablecloth, creating a living document of their history. Design an object or ritual to commemorate your own family’s story and key moments.

2. Angel renounces his Hollywood persona at the end of the book. Imagine a chapter from his perspective 10 years later. What kind of life is he living and what are his feelings about it and himself? 

3. Imagine that you are Lina, asked to create a school project reflecting on recent personal growth. What would you choose to create and why?