The year is 1982. Twenty-eight-year-old would-be writer Cecile abandons her life in San Francisco to accept a teaching position in a small California coast town. Forced to move quickly, she rents a unit in a complex meant for the elderly and handicapped. Wounded by a failed relationship and caught in the flurry of first-year teaching, Cecile feels overwhelmed and isolated. But her new neighbors won’t leave her alone. A series of thefts, a romance between two tenants, a fire, and a murder propel Cecile toward a life-changing decision…
“Crack storytelling and characters you swear you’ve met before.”
—Susie Bright, author, editor, publisher
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Have you ever had to suddenly move to any city? What was the occasion?
- Did you find Cecile naïve? Do you think she should have picked up on clues about other characters more quickly?
- How did you feel when Mrs. Bean used the N-word? Were you surprised? Some readers might argue that the word should not have been included in the book. What do you think of this argument?
- Do you think Cecile should have said or done more when Mrs. Bean revealed her racist streak? Why or why not?
- Many readers respond positively to the sense of community in Lostart Street. But the community is composed of wounded souls. How do you feel about the neighborhood?
- Lostart Street is full of quirky, colorful characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
- How did you feel about the ending? Did you want more for Cecile?