The One

Identity is a running theme in Marrs’s work. While the Match technology promises fulfillment, it sometimes destabilizes a character’s sense of self. For example, Amy fights tooth and nail to earn her standing in law enforcement—but she is Matched with a criminal. Similarly, Nick has never considered himself anything but straight—but he is Matched with a man and helplessly feels a profound connection. Discuss the theme of identity in The One. Is there a coherent “message” in the novel?

What do you think of the idea that there is one, and only one, perfect Match for everyone on Earth? What might be the flaws in the argument, or what impact might this belief have on people’s relationship choices? For example, would people postpone dating or marriage in the hope of finding their soulmate? How does your projection compare with the fictional world Marrs presents?

Do you think the benefits and convenience of technology outweigh the risks of losing our privacy? How might we compensate or adapt? What does it say about the world of The One that a worldwide population is eager to sacrifice its genetic privacy on the altar of true love?

How do each of the characters embody aspects of the relationship between certainty and chance? Consider comparing the women characters to the men or contrasting two characters who have very different interpretations.

Examine the ways the author presents the genders. Are the women in the story presented more positively or negatively then the men overall? Do the women have similarities in their motives that differ from those of the men, or are the characters’ strengths and weaknesses distributed evenly?

Do you think the structure of the story—five separate storylines—is the most effective way to explore the soulmate theme, or might the author have found another way?

Look at claims about how Match Your DNA has changed society—virtually eliminating divorce, racism, anti-gay bias, and other prejudice. Do you think these changes would result in a utopian (ideal) society, or would prejudice against the unMatched result in a dystopia? Or would such a world merely be a mix of good and bad, different from our present society but no better or worse?

Did the conclusions of each storyline fulfill or satisfy your expectations, or did you find them disappointing? Choose two character arcs, and explore what makes them logical or compelling, observing how the author’s narrative techniques serve that end. Alternatively, explore what makes those arcs incomplete.