Lemonade and Lit, Week 6: The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

Other Lemonade and Lit posts:  Introduction, Week One: Booked, Week Two: Booked Discussion, Week Three: Beauty, Week Four: Sexuality in Booked, Week Five: Beauty Discussion, Week Six: The Last Thing I Remember,  Week Seven: Klavan Discussion.

Lemonade and Lit:

An Adult-Teen Read Along, Week 6

Can’t believe we’re on our last book!  Be sure to tune in next Saturday for our discussion of Andrew Klavan’s The Last Thing I Remember.

On Saturday, July 27th, we’ll also be giving away 15 books to those who’ve left comments throughout the read along.  Would you like to enter?  It’s not too late!  Just leave a comment below!

The Lemonade by Emily Whitten

Before we plunge into the book, let’s take a detour into sweet summer indulgence: that’s right, lemonade!  This week, instead of just one recipe, I thought I’d link to 11 and let you choose.

CLICK HERE for these tempting twists on the classic lemon drink:

Lavender-Lime Lemonade

Sparkling Berry Lemonade

Fresh Peach Lemonade

Strawberry Lemonade

Thyme Lemonade

Sparkling Meyer Lemonade

Vanilla Lemonade

Raspberry Lemonade

Frozen Mint Lemonade

Watermelon Lemonade

Basil Lemonade

The Book Review by Gina Dalfonzo

Andrew Klavan is something of a jack of all trades: novelist (for both the adult and teen markets), screenwriter, essayist, contributing editor to City Journal, and political commentator at PJ Media. Many of his novels have been bestsellers, and he’s a two-time winner of the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

The Last Thing I Remember, published in 2009,is the first book in Klavan’s Homelanders series, in which high school student Charlie West suddenly finds himself plunged into a dangerous political conspiracy, with no understanding of how he got there or what it all means. I haven’t yet read the other three books in the series. But in this one, I’ve found Charlie one of the most appealing and relatable young heroes I’ve come across in recent years, despite the extraordinary circumstances in which we meet him.

The Discussion Questions

• As in many shows, books, and movies, amnesia is an important plot device here. Do you think it’s a believable plot device, and that it works well? How might the story have been different without it?

• With so many of his memories gone, Charlie has to rely on his knowledge of his own character to maintain that he’s innocent of the charges against him. He’s helped by the words of a stranger: “You’re a better man than you know.” How does one develop this kind of self-knowledge and self-understanding? How does a Christian, in particular, learn to understand who he is and what he might or might not be capable of doing?

• Charlie’s patriotism also plays a significant role in the story. What do you think of his view of his country and his government? Do you identify with his views, or do you have some differences with him?

Do you have any questions or comments you’d like us to consider in our book discussion next week?  We’d love to know what bothers or interests you!

Looking for more read alongs here at Redeemedreader?  We’ve done quite a few over the years, including The Hobbit, That Hideous Strength, and Pilgrim’s Progress.  Feel free to check these posts out for more book reviews and discussion questions.

And don’t forget to check out more of Gina Dalfonzo’s writing at BreakPoint.org!