The Collected Regrets of Clover

Why is the significance of the novel being set in New York City? How does the setting impact the plot and characters?

As she is dying, Claudia tells Clover to “be cautiously reckless” (268). In what ways does Clover exemplify this cautious recklessness throughout her transformation? What are some of the catalysts for change that she encounters along the way?

Why do you think Clover’s relationship with Sebastian does not work out as a romantic engagement? What does Sebastian’s character suggest about the theme of interconnectedness?

Why is Clover able to form meaningful relationships with those who are close to dying while struggling to connect to people who are not? What significance does her job as a death doula have in relation to her engagement with the world?

Is The Collected Regrets of Clover a feminist work? Why or why not?

Does the novel distinguish between observation and voyeurism? If so, how? Consider Clover’s binoculars, her being privy to and writing down her clients’ final words and regrets, and her new interest in photography.

Despite their differences, Sylvie and Clover form a close friendship. What draws them together? What is Sylvie’s role in Clover’s transformation?

How does the story’s narrative style, from the point of view of a first-person protagonist, influence the experience of reading the novel? How would the novel be different with a third-person narrator?