Questions About The Break

by Katherena Vermette (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (9)

In fact, who's voice is at the beginning of each part? I should know and feel like an idiot, especially since I loved this book so much...

Pat My opinion is that it is Lorraine (Rain) -- Stella's mother who is deceased. If you read on page 4, she says, "My Stella .....". So, I just assumed go…moreMy opinion is that it is Lorraine (Rain) -- Stella's mother who is deceased. If you read on page 4, she says, "My Stella .....". So, I just assumed going forward the 1st passage of each part is Rain speaking.
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Who narrates the piece at the beginning of Part 3?

Abigale Miller The sections at the beginning of each part (they're in a different font in my copy, and without a section title, like the others have) are all narrate…moreThe sections at the beginning of each part (they're in a different font in my copy, and without a section title, like the others have) are all narrated by Lorraine (Rain), Stella's mother. They're written from the perspective of her ghost, observing Stella's life. This wasn't clear to me until partway through the book so I went back to re-read some of the sections with that knowledge.(less)

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My edition has an actual trigger warning on the title page (I assume it's on all editions). Am I the only one who finds this insulting?

Rebekkah P If you’re not a survivor of abuse or neglect, or someone who’s watched a family member or friend live through the aftermath of a violent act like thos…moreIf you’re not a survivor of abuse or neglect, or someone who’s watched a family member or friend live through the aftermath of a violent act like those described in the book, it might not affect you strongly. For people who have those backgrounds, content notes like the one at the beginning of this novel are important so they can manage their experience: do they make an extra appointment with their counsellor in case the book brings up some intense feelings? Do they get to make the choice not to bring this book with them on their commute *before* having the nasty experience of breaking down in tears or having a panic attack at the bus station because the book vividly described something close to the trauma they experienced?

A lot of people think of trigger warnings and content notes as something to help people avoid engaging with difficult material, and yeah, that happens. Sometimes a person looks at a book and says “I just don’t have the energy for that story, given my past/present.” But a lot of people make use of those heads-ups to make sure they *can* engage, instead of being surprised by something traumatic and having a disproportionate reaction that *does* make them throw the book across the room and never pick it up. (less)

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I really loved this book, but I'm wondering if anyone else found it hard to keep track of the characters? I thought it was unnecessary that there were nicknames as well as "real" names...

wyn l. For a bit, yes! Then the family coming together and that family kind of got sorted in my head. Although the men who left in one generation and then th…moreFor a bit, yes! Then the family coming together and that family kind of got sorted in my head. Although the men who left in one generation and then the next were hard to keep track of. And part of the lack of clarity is to reveal how closely connected everyone was in the end.(less)

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Would this book be appropriate for a group of 17 year olds?