2026 Reading Challenge
A Doubter's Almanac

Questions About A Doubter's Almanac

by Ethan Canin

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Answered Questions (3)

This book is blowing me away. The characters are so deeply developed and some of Canin's sentences and similes make be pause, reread and reread again. The book is truly masterful. Other readers: do you agree?
Blake Wilson Agree 100%. I'm finishing it up now, and I've repeated across a number of pages to admire Canin's prose...This is my first Canin read, and, undoubtedly, not my last.
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How is Milo Andret's last name pronounced?
Linda Rhymes with bandit only with an r (from the text).
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Diane I was surprised initially by the timing of their marriage too. But the more her "Saint Helena" character was developed. I think Milo trusted Helena fr…moreI was surprised initially by the timing of their marriage too. But the more her "Saint Helena" character was developed. I think Milo trusted Helena from the beginning of his Princeton days, he felt he had a deep connection with her (that wasn't explained in detail for us) to see him at his worst (Hans Borland passing, drunken evenings, etc) and felt she could navigate him through, without judgement. Her enabling nature would easily draw Milo to be himself (not always pleasant to be around) while she did all the work to raise their children and have the pretense of a happy family.

Do I think she loved him the entire time? No - but I can imagine that she hoped their marriage would change him and their future for the better. That she would get to have a family (which was alluded to previously, even though he said he didn't want kids). Their son comments on how she was always full of hope, was in awe/astonished by his mind, and highlights how she just knew what he needed. "She was still good at believing it was going to get better." (pg 422)(less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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