Book Club Discussion Questions for Leaving by Roxana Robinson

1. Sarah and Warren rekindle their relationship at the Opera. Do you have a similar experience where you've run into someone unexpected at a place you frequent? How did that make you feel?
2. After the opera, when Sarah and Warren are at dinner, they witness a fight with another family. The two talk about whether the father should pick sides or not. How do you think the conflict makes Sarah and Warren feel? What does this say about Sarah and Warren?
3. What do you think about Sarah and Warren's affair? Are they making the right decision?
4. The first 100 pages really focus on Sarah's character, her relationships with her kids, and her life. What do you think of Sarah? How do you feel about her? Is she likable? Is she not likable?
5. What do you think of Warren's character? Is he likable? Is he not likable? Do you think how he feels about Janet is warranted?
6. Warren focuses a lot on the feminist and sexual movements of the 80s and 90s to justify his behaviors, like his affairs and his wife's opposition to him. Do you think that these are valid justifications? Do you think that Sarah experienced these eras in a similar way to him? Why or why not?
7. Do you think that Janet really knows about his affairs, or do you think Warren has come to believe that over time?
8. As Warren comes to tell Janet he wants a divorce, Janet, and later Kat, have very adverse reactions. Do you think Warren is right to stand by his decision?
9. Think of a time someone betrayed you. What was that experience like? How did you feel afterwards?
10. How do you feel about Janet's behavior after she learns of the divorce? Was her behavior warranted?
11. What do you think of Kat's character? How would you feel in her position? What stance would you take as Warren's child?
12. Did Warren do the right thing by breaking off his relationship with Sarah?
13. As the story progresses, Sarah grows into a faithful grandmother and mends the relationships with her children. Do you feel that Warren has the same growth?
14. How do you feel about how Kat treats Warren after he moves back in?
15. Thinking on children and their relationships, do you feel like there are parallels between Meg and Kat as characters? What are these parallels and do you think, if circumstances were different that Meg would treat Sarah's affair differently?
16. How do you feel about Meg as a whole? What do you think of her relationship with Sarah?
17. The ending is rather abrupt and open ended. What do you think happens to Warren? How did you interpret the ending? What context clues brought you to this conclusion?
18. Looking over the novel, how would you feel in Sarah and Warren's shoes? Who do you sympathize with most?
19. What's something you regret in life that you wish you could change? Would you change it?
20. If you have kids, do you feel like you are living for them in a way that affects you doing what you want to do? Would you ever change your life in a major way, even if they were opposed to it?
21. What was your final take away from the novel? What impression does Leaving leave you with?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of W.W. Norton & Company. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.