Dark Water

1. Whales make up a large part of Dark Water. Knowing what you know about these animals by reading parts of Rachel's school report, why do you suppose the author chose whales as the backdrop for this novel? 2. Dark Water introduces a whole cast of characters who inhabit the coastal town of Fog Point. Whose story are you interested in knowing about and why? 3. If you could sit down and talk to May, what advice would you give her? What would you say to Jake? 4. What character do you identify with the most? Which character do you least identify with? Why? 5. Much of the character of Elise is revealed through the diaries of her daughter, Rachel. Why do you suppose the author chose to reveal the mother in this way? 6. Elise was able to run away with her daughter and begin a new life. Have you ever felt like running away and starting over? Talk about the circumstances. 7. Elise grew up in a very strict religious home. Do you think she was justified in leaving and snubbing her father by cutting her hair and wearing jewelry? Is it ever permissible to defy one's upbringing? 8. Fog Point seems to be inhabited by people who have turned their back on God. When Jake's wife left him, he left God. When May's husband died, her faith died, and Elise couldn't leave her childhood religion fast enough. Do you know people who have left God or the church because they were hurt or angry? Why do you think people do this? Do you think this response is valid? Why or why not? 9. "All who wander are not lost," said by Shakespeare and later used by Tolkien, is quoted by Ben to Jake. Why do you think Ben said this to Jake? Is it possible to wander and not be lost? Do you believe this to be true in your own life? 10. Is Fog Point a place you'd like to visit? Would you like to live there? Why or why not? 11. If you could visit Fog Point six months after the ending of Dark Water, what would you like to see?Hall, Linda is the author of 'Dark Water ', published 2006 under ISBN 9781578569540 and ISBN 1578569540.