Discussion Questions from Lizzy & Jane

1. As the story opens, Elizabeth is struggling at Feast. Paul and Tabitha say she is “divided.” Have you felt times in life when your focus is divided?

2. Elizabeth and Jane seem to want to connect but always have something contentious between them. Can you relate? What keeps you from connecting with family and even friends, despite sincere efforts?

3. Illness—or change—of any kind can put pressure on a family. Have you experienced such pressure in your family? How did it play out in daily life?

4. Have you seen the movie Babette’s Feast? Or read the book by Isak Dinesen? It’s a wonderful story of forgiveness, grace, and gorgeous food. What changed in Elizabeth after she saw this movie? What changed in Nick?

5. What do you think of Cecilia’s desire to “never hide” but rather use her unconventional look to reveal her true self? Versus Lizzy, who does the opposite, using her appearance to hide herself from the world?

6. Jim, Lizzy and Jane’s dad, says the love must be more than the like. What do you think he meant? Do you agree?

7. At the beginning, Lizzy and Jane seem to have forgotten or shut out their faith. Through their trials, memories and questions start to surface. Do you find this is how faith works in your life? If so, why might that be?

8. Lizzy notices her “gift” returning in parallel to her loosening control. She even comments that she did none of the cooking one day—and yet she felt joy over it. What might she be experiencing?

9. Jane, while sitting in the booth with Peter, expresses anger and frustration at where she is in life. She resents being “stuck.” Have you felt that way? What propelled you forward?

10. Before Jane’s family goes to the water park, Peter states that if Lizzy leaves, he is certain she’ll “never come back.” Do you think that is true? If she left, would the pain between the sisters remain unresolved? Would Lizzy be running again?

11. “No one told me that grief feels like fear.” This is C.S. Lewis’s opening line in his book, A Grief Observed, and was one of the starting points for Lizzy and Jane’s story. If you’ve experienced grief, do you agree or disagree with Lewis’s statement?

12. Paul arrives in Seattle ready to make all of Lizzy’s dreams come true—or at least, what she once thought her dreams were. How has she changed? Was she foolish not to accept what the world would consider a good deal?

13. At the end of the story, Jim declares the family “found.” What do you think he meant? Do you agree?