90 pages • 3 hours read
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The drought, or “the dry,” itself is a looming, inescapable presence throughout the novel. How does Harper use this powerful force of nature and Kiewarra's residents' connection to it to reveal aspects of human nature?
How does Harper's use of flashbacks, particularly those that are later expanded upon, affect the reliability of events and characters?
The bush, the rock tree, and the Kiewarra River are all places of significant events that personally affect Falk. Explore how they connect Falk between his present time in Kiewarra and his childhood.
Even though Kiewarra is a fictional town, its sense of place and characters' belonging (or aversion) to it are critical to the development of the plot. How does Harper's characterization of Kiewarra achieve such a pervasive effect?
At separate times, Erik and Gerry both doubt their own sons' innocence. How do these doubts affect Falk and Luke personally? How does it affect their friendship? How does the theme of mistrust and uncertainty affect other characters' relationships in the novel?
Throughout the novel, Falk struggles to process both his childhood memories of Kiewarra and all the changes that have occurred in 20 years. How has childhood shaped him as an adult, and do his experiences and memories of the town affect his objectivity as a special agent?
Luke is purposefully characterized the most, as everyone's attention has always been drawn to him. As a reader, how do the complicated (and at times contradictory) perceptions of Luke affect your assumptions of his guilt or innocence?
Falsely accused of murdering Ellie, the Falks are run out of town, and the accusations have a lasting effect on their relationship. Meanwhile, Deacon and Grant get to proceed with their lives, seemingly without repercussions. Why is justice so difficult to obtain in Kiewarra? Is Falk able to redeem himself?
Several characters extensively keep important secrets, and in some cases, keep them until their deaths. This has significant consequences in people's relationships, their understanding of the past, and the Hadler investigation. In Kiewarra's tight-knit community, what motivates people to keep their secrets, and what makes them worth telling?
In a story where nearly everyone is complicit in lying or hiding something, are there any archetypal heroes or villains in The Dry?
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