1. When we first meet Alex Pearl, she is having a phone conversation with her new best friend, Rona, who seems to have adjusted to suburbia successfully. What are the clues that Alex might be having a more difficult time making that same adjustment?
2. Early on, Alex receives a phone call that sends shockwaves into her essentially happy and organized domestic life. Do you think she handles the incident in the best possible way? How might you react in the same situation?
3. During the 1970s, many couples attended retreats hoping to improve communication in their marriages. Describe Alex and Donny’s experience at Marriage Mountain. What aspects did you find revealing? Sad or touching? Humorous? Have you ever attended a similar retreat?
4. Alex’s trip to Florida alone with her girls brings a few new surprises. What are some of the triggers that cause both malaise and mistrust in her marriage? How is she affected by her own parents’ relationship?
5. Meeting Charlie Bell and his wife initially serves Alex with an example of a marital relationship to compare against her own. How are they different as couples? What are some of the early danger signs in each marriage?
6. What is the pivotal point in the relationship between the two couples? How does that change Alex? Does her focus shift or remain the same? What does she hope for in the end? What might you see in her future?
7. It’s been said that many who marry in their twenties ultimately go through transitions that may cause them to desire more in their thirties. Discuss.
8. Which parts of Split-Level did you find most insightful?