Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. John Kenney is known for humor, even winning the Thurber Prize for his novel Truth in Advertising (2004). How did you find the balance between comedy and tragedy in this book? Did the dark humor surrounding death and grief resonate with you, or did you find it challenging at times?

2. What expectations did you have for the story after Bud accidentally published his own satirical obituary? How did the novel’s focus on quiet, internal change either meet those expectations or take you in an unexpected direction?

3. How did you feel about the novel’s ending? Did Bud’s new role writing “Life Stories” and his quiet sense of purpose feel like a satisfying conclusion to his journey?

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

1. Tim suggests that everyone is an obituary writer, creating their own life story each day. Does this idea feel empowering or pressuring to you? How might thinking about your own life as a story you are actively writing change your perspective on daily choices?

2. Clara introduces Bud to the practice of attending the funerals of strangers. Could you imagine yourself doing something similar to gain a new perspective on life? Why or why not?

3. Bud’s friend Tuan offers support through a mix of sharp sarcasm and quiet acts of loyalty. Think about the friendships in your own life. In what different ways do people show they care, and what does this novel suggest about the nature of true friendship?

4. Could you relate to Bud’s feeling of being stuck in “quicksand” after his divorce? When have you felt trapped by life circumstances, and how did you work through the situation?

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

1. The story is set against the backdrop of a declining print journalism industry. How does this professional crisis mirror Bud’s personal one? What commentary do you think the novel is making about the value of honoring ordinary lives in an age of fast-paced, disposable content?

2. The novel explores modern loneliness and the search for authentic community. Bud finds his community in an unconventional way through Tim’s salons and funeral-going. Where do you see people today finding or creating similar spaces for genuine connection outside of traditional structures?

3. What does the novel suggest about how contemporary Western societies handle discussions around death and grief? What factors influence this dynamic?

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

1. Why do you think the author chose a fragmented narrative structure that flashes back to key moments like Bud’s therapy sessions and his mother’s death? How does this nonlinear approach reflect Bud’s internal state? What other purposes might it serve?

2. What role do the supporting characters play in Bud’s transformation? Is their narrative function limited to challenging Bud to confront aspects of his life that he has been avoiding?

3. Tuan compares Bud’s funeral attendance to the classic film Harold and Maude. If you’re familiar with the film, how does this comparison hold up? In what ways are Bud and Harold’s journeys similar or different?

4. Consider Bud’s journey from lamenting his mother’s inadequate obituary to publishing his own fantastical one to finally creating meaningful “Life Stories.” What does his evolution as a storyteller reveal about his evolution as a person?

5. What is the significance of the various funerals Bud and Tim attend? How does each one teach Bud a different lesson about life, grief, and remembrance?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Bud’s new job is to create “Life Stories” that capture the essence of a person. If you were given this assignment for a minor character from the book, like Aldo the funeral director or Bud’s neighbor, Julia Felder, what defining story would you focus on to bring their life into focus?

2. Imagine you are designing a small, public memorial to honor Tim Charvat’s life and legacy. What form would it take, and what elements from his life would you incorporate to convey who he was?

3. Clara uses the metaphor of monarch butterflies flying around a vanished mountain to describe being trapped by old stories. What new metaphor or image would you offer Bud to help him envision his future and the life he is now free to build?