by Ann Jacobus
7. Summer wonders how Moony is able to manage pain and still apparently enjoy life with “gusto and, like, grace” (here). The word grace is defined as kindness, goodwill, and compassion. Describe ways that Moony extends grace to Summer and others. Explain his motivation for doing so.
8. Analyze the feelings of “hollowness,” the “rush of deep sadness,” and the energy “vacuum” Summer experiences following her first kiss with Kurt (here). Explain what is happening to Summer at this moment in the story.
9. Summer’s entering Karen’s classroom generates a fond memory of her father holding her hand (here). Consider the emotional impact of this moment with her father. Explain what his holding her hand means to her. Explore Summer’s feelings for her father.
10. Summer states that “to become the girl [Moony] deserves is impossible” (here). The word impossible is defined as being intolerable, unreasonable, and hopeless. Explain why Summer feels deserving Moony’s affection is a hopeless act.
11. Discuss why Kurt does not carry money. Tell what this detail reveals about his character.
12. Summer tells her mother, “… graduating will be moot if I’m not around to inherit” (here). By saying these words, is Summer indirectly making a call for help? How so? Consider her mother’s response to Summer. Is her mother missing the true intent behind Summer’s comment? If so, why?
13. How does the news of the death of singer-songwriter Kentucky Morris impact Summer? Explain why.
14. Consider Summer’s statement (here), “Humans are capable of incredible things. Full recovery against the odds.” Is Summer capable of full recovery? Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answers.
15. Moony takes Kurt’s hand with his weak one (here). Explore the symbolism behind this act. Discuss why the act of holding hands is meaningful to Summer, thus causing Moony’s reaching out to Kurt to be more poignant.
16. Consider the meaning behind the phrase “She’s not afraid of dying. She’s afraid of loving” (here). Explain how loving is a risky act, more daring and terrifying than the act of suicide.
17. Explain Kurt’s physical transformation from having a young “handsome profile and shiny disheveled hair” and “perfectly shaped fingers and nails” (here) to developing coarse skin, a lined face, and ragged nails (here). Consider Kurt’s seemingly gradual aging and increasingly foul body odor. Tell what these physical changes reveal with regard to his character and Summer’s feelings for him.
18. Return to the early pages of the novel. Explore the phrase, “She knows the guy can’t read her mind and doesn’t mean anything by those words, but there it is: the real, andgrowing reason why she’s got to find someone to love” (here). Discuss how these words of exposition inform the novel’s resolution.
19. Discuss the role that alcohol plays in this story.
20. Moony asks Summer, “But what does life expect from you?” (here). Interpret the meaning behind his words. Predict how Summer’s response to Moony’s question might have changed from the midpoint of the story to the end. Explain the causes for the change in Summer’s outlook on life. What about you? Describe what life expects from you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANN JACOBUS graduated from Dartmouth College and earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She’s published short fiction, essays, poetry, and blogs regularly about YA writing. Jacobus lives in San Francisco and Chappaquiddick with her family.
You can visit Ann’s web site at www.annjacobus.com or follow her on Twitter at @annjacobussf or at facebook.com/annjacobus.author. Or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Suicide Prevention Resources
Discussion Guide
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
ROMANCING THE DARK IN THE CITY OF LIGHT. Copyright © 2015 by Ann Jacobus. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
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Cover design by Erin Fitzsimmons
Cover photographs © www.flickr.com/photos/birdigol/Getty Images
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-06443-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-7050-5 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466870505
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First Edition: October 2015
