A Visit from the Goon Squad A Visit from the Goon Squad discussion


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Chapter connections

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Garrett So, I just finished chapter 10 and I was wondering something. Thus far I've read every chapter the following way: they're obviously all a series of interconnected stories, but each successive one features a character from, or specific connection to, the one previous. What it looks like to me is.

1. Sasha
2. Bennie (Sasha's boss)
3. Rhea (Bennie's friend from high school, part of the band he mentioned in his chapter)
4. Lou and his family (as seen in a photo by Rhea)
5. Jocelyn (less connected to the previous story, but this chapter deals with Rolph, who figured prominently in #4)
6. Scotty (mentioned by Jocelyn that he dropped off the map)
7. Stephanie (Bennie's wife, mentioned to Scotty in that Bennie says he's married)
8. Dolly (Stephanie's boss)
9. Jules (wrote a piece about Kitty who is a big part of the previous chapter)
10. Rob (no discernible connection to previous chapter)

I know that Rob is the friend that Sasha mentions having a photo of in chapter 1, but was there something I was missing between 9 and 10? I kept waiting for Kitty to show up in some way... I understand that he's still connected to the other characters, so it's not out of nowhere, but a wrench seems to have been thrown into my theory that the chapter themselves are connected to the preceding and following stories. Thoughts?


Rachel McIntyre Wow. I've both read this book and listened to the audio book, and I never realized how systematic the connections were. Bravo! I don't think you've missed anything with Rob, though. Have you followed this through all the way to the final chapter/story? Or does it completely break down at this point? Or does it take on a different pattern? Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!


Garrett The chapters, following 10, are:

11. Ted (Sasha's uncle, takes place in Naples which is mentioned several times in the previous chapter)
12. Alison (specifically referenced by Ted in the previous chapter)
13. Alex (ties everything back to the beginning and specifically references Sasha, who appears in the previous chapter)

So I guess the only chapter lacking a tie to the one before it would be Rob's. I hope there's something I'm missing, though, bc I'd love for it to all work out.


Jody no wonder i had trouble with this book! maybe I will start again!


Rachel McIntyre Jody, I often find I keep character lists along with books I'm reading. This book was no exception. I just make a note of a character and identifying characteristics when we first meet him or her. When I do this, I usually also find other reoccurring ideas or objects.


Shelly Sanders I wish I'd made a character list for this book. I had to keep re-reading sections to keep it all straight in my head. In the end, I saw how it all connected and really appreciated the writing and character development.


Lily Shelly wrote: "I wish I'd made a character list for this book. I had to keep re-reading sections to keep it all straight in my head. In the end, I saw how it all connected and really appreciated the writing and c..."

Others have done it for us. If interested, search the Web.


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