The Rachel Incident

What is the role of humor in the novel, and how does it relate to the novel’s themes? How does the narrative format, with an older Rachel narrating her past, emphasize the more humorous aspects of the events?

Social class is an important background issue throughout the novel. How do the different class backgrounds of James Devlin, James Carey, and Rachel affect their lives and career trajectories? What do their different experiences illustrate about contemporary Irish society?

Why are Rachel and James Carey drawn to one another? In what ways are they similar, and what is their relationship based on, besides physical attraction? Is the basis of their attraction different when they are first together than when they reunite?

Rachel begins the novel pregnant and ends it as the mother of a young son. How does her role as a mother influence her perception of past events in the novel, especially of her relationship with her own parents?

Rachel and James Devlin become friends almost immediately, and their relationship continues through adulthood. Why are they such close friends? What do they see in one another, and in what ways are they both insecure about their friendship? By placing their relationship at the center of the novel, what does O’Donoghue suggest about the role of friendship in modern life?

Reproductive rights and abortion access are major concerns of the novel. In what ways does Ireland’s abortion ban affect the lives of Rachel and other characters in the novel? Why does O’Donoghue juxtapose the issue of reproductive rights like abortion with the Byrnes’ fertility struggles? What does the novel suggest, overall, about the relationship between women and reproduction?

Two of Rachel’s most important relationships in the novel are with men: James Carey and James Devlin. How do her relationships (or lack thereof) with women impact her life and her character arc? What stands in the way of closer relationships between women in the novel?

Three different male characters in the novel (Fred Byrne, James Devlin, and Rachel’s younger brother Kevin) identify as queer. How do the generational differences between them influence their decisions to stay closeted or come out? What might O’Donoghue be trying to convey thematically by portraying these three different characters?