Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What are some of the ways in which We Begin at the End defies genre conventions (e.g., of clear-cut heroes/villains and resolutions that affirm the social order)? Did the book’s moral ambiguity add to or diminish your enjoyment?

2. We Begin at the End is considered an homage to classic Westerns, especially those written by authors like Charles Portis. Have you read any of Portis’s novels, such as True Grit or Norwood? How would you compare and contrast Whitaker’s novel with Portis’s work?

3. Chris Whitaker is also the author of All the Colors of the Dark. If you’ve read both books, how would you compare their treatment of childhood adversity? If this is your first experience with Whitaker, are you interested in reading more?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Can you imagine making any of the sacrifices Vincent makes for his children in this novel? How does your answer impact your reception of the novel’s ideas about

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