The Cliffs

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your overall impressions of The Cliffs? Discuss what you liked most and least about the book and why.
• The novel combines many elements, such as Indigenous American history and the importance of place, the impact of family and community ties, and the supernatural (including the haunted house trope and a medium). Discuss how these various elements enrich the story.
• The Cliffs is J. Courtney Sullivan’s sixth novel. How does it compare to her other books (such as Saints for All Occasions)? Does it remind you of books by other authors? If so, why?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• Reflect on any part of The Cliffs that evoked a strong emotional response. Why? Did it relate to a particular event, character, or setting?
• Discuss how the book’s themes relate to your personal views or experiences. For example, did you ever doubt that the historical accounts about the place where you grew up accounted reflected a broad perspective?
• As a child, Jane felt a strong connection to the Lake Grove house and property. Have you ever felt drawn to a specific place? Why? Did you ever return to the place, as Jane does in the novel?
• Explore connections between your life and the experiences of the characters in The Cliffs. For example, have you ever worked on a historical research project or found strength in your community during a difficult personal time?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

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

• Analyze how The Cliffs reflects or comments on current societal issues relating to US history vis-à-vis Indigenous American identity and/or to alcohol use disorder.
• Discuss how the book’s seaside setting influences the story and how the area’s history (including its “discovery” by a white explorer and the revelation that he abducted several Indigenous American men) informs the characters’ actions.
• The book’s themes center on the importance of perspective in historical accounts, women’s roles in the family and community, and the generational and accountability aspects of addiction. Explore the societal and historical resonance of these themes. What progress have people made toward fair representation in historical accounts, women’s rights, and understanding and controlling addiction?

4. Literary Analysis

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

• The Cliffs uses a third-person omniscient narrative structure that often conveys Jane’s point of view. Comment on the effectiveness of this approach in revealing her character growth and the contributions and revelations of other characters.
• Discuss Jane’s character development and relatability. What is her arc in the novel? How do coming to terms with her mother’s death, learning more about her family and community’s history, and the book’s other events and characters inform her actions? Do her actions and decisions make sense? Why or why not?
• Examine the character of Genevieve. Consider her position as an outsider in the town of Awadapquit and her comparatively privileged background. Compare her attitudes and assumptions to those of early white colonists, such as Archibald Pembroke (the British explorer who “discovered” the area).
• Explore how the Lake Grove house setting and the events that occur there contribute to the book’s tone. Consider both the property’s natural elements and the changes that humans make there.
• Discuss the hidden room in the Lake Grove house and its connection to the history of the house, the land, and the people. Who is drawn to the room throughout the generations and various residents of the house? Why?
• Discuss the significance of St. George’s Island. What does it symbolize and why? What are Jane’s memories of the island, and how does the island relate to revelations in the novel?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you could create a movie or series based on The Cliffs, who might you cast in the roles of Jane (the protagonist), Alison (Jane’s best friend), Holly (Jane’s older sister), Genevieve (the privileged newcomer who bought Lake Grove house), Marilyn (the artist who lived in the house before Genevieve), Eliza (the Shaker woman who lived in the house long ago), and Naomi (the Indigenous American historical consultant who helps Jane with her research project)? What locations might you scout to shoot footage? What would you prioritize in scripting and production design?
• Create a playlist that captures the book’s mood or themes. Alternatively, focus your playlist on a particular character, or assemble songs that represent different characters.
• Envision a sequel to The Cliffs. Is Jane’s museum successful? What does she discover about the history of women in the Awadapquit area? Who does she meet or engage in her projects? How does she change? Alternatively, imagine a spinoff that focuses on another character, such as Eliza or Naomi.

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