The Sanatorium

Pick two characters from The Sanatorium and explore their struggles with mental illness. What are the similarities and the differences? How does their mental illness challenge them? How does mental illness effect the decisions that they make?

How does Pearse use red herrings in the book? How does the use of red herrings contribute to the building of suspense in the novel? Is it effective or ineffective?

Consider Elin’s childhood friendship with Laure. How did their friendship effect the way Elin viewed Laure during the investigation? Was Elin a good friend to Laure? Could Elin have done more to save Laure? Why or why not?

Elin’s family dynamic with Isaac is different from Will’s dynamic with his family. How does Elin’s family history affect her relationship with her brother? With Will?

Cecile’s murder plot stems from her resentment towards her brother Lucas for failing to protect her from Daniel Lemaitre. How did abuse affect Cecile? How does Cecile’s situation connect to the theme of “The Systemic Abuse and Dismissal of Women”?

How is Daniel Lemaitre similar to the doctors at the sanatorium? How do Cecile’s and Margot’s experiences of the patients at the sanatorium compare to Cecile’s experience with Daniel?

Isaac accuses Elin of always needing to be a hero. How do the events of Elin’s past push her to heroism? Is Isaac’s perception of Elin accurate? Support your arguments with at least three examples from the book.

Pearse uses water as a symbol of Elin’s anxiety. How does Sam’s death in the rock pool compare to Elin’s near drowning at the hands of Mark Hayler? How do the Hayler case and Sam’s death compare to Adele’s murder? Do they affect the way Elin investigates? Explain using examples from the book.