Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel begins with Teresa’s letter, which reveals Flo’s death right at the start. How did this choice shape your reading experience and your connection to Flo?

2. Elizabeth Berg’s work often features older characters who find new meaning and connection late in life. How does Flo’s journey compare to other stories you’ve read about aging and friendship? 

3. As Flo told her interconnected stories, what was the most memorable object for you, and why?

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

1. Flo fills her letter with stories tied to household objects. Think of an object in your own life that tells a story. What makes it so significant to you?

2. Have you ever had an intergenerational friendship that was important to you? What did you learn from that relationship, and what similarities or differences do you see in the dynamic that Flo and Teresa share?

3. Flo’s advice to Teresa is to be brave and “stick your neck out” (141) for love because it’s always worth the risk. Do you agree with this philosophy? How have your own experiences confirmed or challenged this idea?

4. Flo’s final project is writing a letter to pass on her wisdom and memories to Ruthie. If you were to create a similar legacy project for a younger person in your life, what key stories or lessons would you feel the need to share?

5. Mildred’s spontaneous ice skating adventure and Flo’s decision to color her hair represent moments of pure joy. How important is it to make room for playfulness and new experiences at every stage of life?

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

1. Teresa’s profession as a “death doula” introduces ideas from the “death positivity” movement. Before reading, what were your own thoughts on how our culture handles dying? How did the book affect your perspective on this topic?

2. How does the book challenge common societal views of older adults, particularly women?

3. The story emphasizes the importance of connections between different generations. What does the novel suggest a community gains from these types of relationships?

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

1. What specific interactions with Flo are the key catalysts for Teresa’s emotional transformation?

2. Terrence is a complex posthumous character, revealed only through Flo’s memories. How does Berg balance his flaws with his acts of tenderness to create a realistic portrait of a lifelong partner?

3. How did the narrative structure, which alternates between Flo’s letter to Ruthie and her present-day life, affect your reading experience? Why do you think the author chose to tell the story this way instead of in a purely linear fashion?

4. The secret of Terrence’s affair is the climax of Flo’s letter. How does Flo’s eventual correspondence with Simone redefine the concept of forgiveness in the novel?

5. How does Berg use everyday objects and small domestic rituals to argue that an ordinary life is just as meaningful as one filled with grand adventures?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If Life were being adapted into a movie, which actors would you cast in the roles of Flo, Teresa, and Mildred? What qualities would they need to bring to these characters?

2. The story ends with Flo’s letter being passed to the house’s new owner to be saved for her baby. Imagine that child, now a young adult, reading the letter. What lessons or feelings might they take away from Flo’s life story?

3. Flo’s “autobiography in things” is her unique way of passing on her story. If you were to create a “legacy box” for someone, what five objects would you include to represent your life and the lessons you’ve learned?