Oakville Reads discussion

“How 2 people end up in the same place at the same time is a mystery. Much of the plot hinges on chance encounters or small decisions. Take for example, the huge impact seeing Jack Lalanne pulling a boat had on Scott. What are some other seemingly unimportant choices characters make that turn out to be pivotal? Can you relate this sort of kismet to your own life?”

I loved reading the pieces about Scott more so than any of the other characters. I found the story about Scott seeing Jack Lalanne swim when he was a boy the most intriguing part of the book. It really got me thinking about how a life event can carve a route into your life. The coincidence of Scott being a survivor of a plane crash and also the fact that he had recently got back into shape made it seem like it was his destiny to save the boy.
I can't really think of a chance encounter in my life that altered my path or was pivotal but would love to hear other's stories.

I suppose all the people on that plane made choices that day, except for the children. If Scott had not run into Maggie that day at the market, he wouldn't have been aboard the plane. I believe the other couple who were onboard did not originally plan to fly with Maggie and David either. Even their choice of seats on the plane would have determined their survival. So often we hear of people who decide not to take a plane or are bumped from it, only to have it crash. They might say it's a miracle but I think it's just something random that happens. After any tragedy, survivors are plagued with thoughts of "should have, would have, could have." It's an awful feeling.

I was also very intrigued by the author's choice of the real life event of Jack Lalanne pulling a boat as the basis for one of the main character's path in life. Perhaps Hawley was trying to demonstrate that even the seemingly impossible is achievable if we are inspired and have the will to succeed.
I remember reading about the Toronto doctor who was killed on the highway by a huge rock being thrown from a bridge onto his car on his way to work. If any event had taken a second more or a second less that morning, he may still be alive and saving the lives of others. Life is such a delicate weave of events, I often wonder if we have the ability to direct what will be or if it's all just fate waiting to happen just as it was meant to be.

I have always been fascinated by the role of fate or coincidence in our lives. How much of who we are or what decisions we make is shaped by our genetic background, the people we meet or simply… destiny. This book, more than any, made me think about this. As Susan mentioned, all the people on the plane made choices, but it was fascinating to watch each character being shaped by the events in their life. For example, when Maggie left for College, her sister became a needy, terrified of being alone, woman. And isn’t it ironic that Maggie’s death, losing her for good, made Eleanor a better person? The void and fear in her heart was filled by love and a sense of belonging for JJ. It made her strong enough to stand up to her husband.