Saint X

How does Clive and Edwin’s relationship mirror the relationship between Claire and Alison? Does Clive have any complicity in Alison’s death? Why or why not?

In the author’s note, Alexis Schaitkin says that Saint X is a fictional island, based on extensive research. What are the cultural and ethical implications of inventing a Caribbean island with its own history and demographics?

What is the significance of names in the novel, particularly in the cases of Clive and Claire?

Claire and Clive are both outsiders in New York City, but for different reasons. Compare and contrast Claire’s and Clive’s lives in New York City. How do class and race influence their experiences? What do they gain from their association with each other?

Why are Claire’s chapters written in the first person, while Clive’s chapters are written in third person? What effect does this have on the reader’s perception of these characters?

What effect do the confessional sections at the end of the chapters have on the reader’s perception of truth? What would the novel lose if those sections were not present? Use examples from the text to support your response.

How does Claire’s conception of Alison change over the course of the novel? Does she get closer or further away from knowing who her sister was?

Is Saint X a murder mystery? If so, what elements of the novel contribute to making it a mystery? If not, in which genre or genres does the novel belong?