The book contains many different kinds of anecdotes from Key West’s history. How would you sort these anecdotes into categories? How does each category help develop the novel’s setting and atmosphere?

How does the book portray Wrecker’s experiences with racism in Key West? How does his understanding of the history of racism on the island inform his own encounters with prejudice?

Wrecker compares Quantraine to a movie gangster. What stereotypical gangster mannerisms or behavior does Quantraine display? Which ones does he subvert?

Compare and contrast the parenting abilities of Carole, Valdez VII, Roger, and Willi’s parents. How do their actions contrast with Suzanne’s behavior toward Wrecker? What message is the book sending about what good parenting looks like?

What elements of the story characterize Wrecker as a loner? Is the story’s tone toward his introversion negative, positive, or neutral? What kinds of language and detail choices support your conclusion?

The setting of Key West is central to the novel. How do descriptions portray Key West? How are detailed depictions of its natural environment related to story’s meaning?

The novel is set at a very specific moment in time: the COVID pandemic. What perspective does the novel take toward the precautions taken to prevent the disease’s spread? How does this perspective support one or more of the story’s themes?

How does Wrecker change over the course of the story? Which characters and plot events are most responsible for these changes?