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

1. Jake’s journey highlights the unintended consequences of trying to change the past. Have you ever experienced a situation where trying to fix one problem led to unexpected challenges? How did it shape your perspective?

2. The novel explores the idea that “time is obdurate” and resists change. Do you believe certain events in life are inevitable, or do you think free always allows for change? 

3. Jake’s love for Sadie transcends time and loss. Have you ever felt a connection with someone that seemed unexplainable or extraordinary? How did it affect you?

4. The concept of harmonies—patterns or echoes that repeat across time—plays a key role in the story. Have you ever noticed patterns or coincidences in your own life that felt significant? What meaning did you draw from this? 

5. Jake is forced to make difficult decisions about the greater good versus personal happiness. Can you think of a time when you had to prioritize the well-being of others over your own desires? What did you learn from the experience? 

6. The novel’s portrayal of the 1950s and 1960s evokes both nostalgia and discomfort. How does your view of past decades—whether from personal experience or stories—compare to King’s depiction of this era?

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

1. How does King’s portrayal of 1950s and 1960s America, with its cultural norms, racial tensions, and political climate, contribute to the novel’s exploration of societal change and historical impact?

2. The assassination of President Kennedy is a pivotal event in both the novel and American history. How does King use this historical moment to reflect on the broader societal consequences of leadership and political violence?

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

1. How does King use the rabbit-hole as a narrative device to explore themes of time, consequence, and the human desire to alter destiny?

2. Discuss how harmonies in the novel, such as recurring names and events, serve as a symbolic representation of time’s interconnectedness and persistence. How do they impact Jake’s journey?

3. Sadie Dunhill plays a crucial role in Jake’s mission and his emotional growth. How does her character embody themes of love, sacrifice, and the cost of altering time?

4. The depiction of Lee Harvey Oswald blurs the lines between historical fact and fictional speculation. How does King’s depiction of Oswald contribute to the novel’s tension and its exploration of moral ambiguity?

5. King frequently juxtaposes Jake’s modern sensibilities with the cultural and social norms of the 1950s and 1960s. How does this contrast enhance the reader’s understanding of the era and Jake’s challenges?