Burning the Map | Book Club Questions

1. One of the themes of the novel is the concept that travel can open up a person's eyes and allow them to see their lives more clearly. How is Casey changed by this trip? What people, places or parts of their journey cause her to rethink different aspects of her life? Would Casey have come to the same life decisions if she hadn't taken this trip? Have you had any vacations that have changed your life?
2. What does the novel say about friendships between women? Is the friendship of Casey, Kat and Sin typical in some ways, atypical in others? Is it natural for one friend in a group of women to occasionally feel like an outsider at times?
3. What do you think of Sin? What kind of person is she and why? Do you think she will be changed by their vacation?
4. Is Kat's sunny personality, hard partying and 'man-eating' hiding something more than just the incident with her step-father? What do you think the future holds for Kat?
5. What did you think of Casey and John's relationship? Did you wonder whether she would accept his proposal? What kind of man do you see Casey ending up with?
6. What role did her parents' divorce play in Casey's evolution? Would Casey have made the same choices if her parents weren't splitting up? What did you think of Casey's father's explanation for their break-up? Did you find it selfish, as Casey suggested to him, or did you empathize with him?
7. What did you think of Casey's decision to quit her job via phone, while on vacation? Will she regret it at some point? Did you find it reckless or did you admire her for it? What does the novel say about choosing your profession in life?
8. What did you think of the time Casey spent with Francesco and Billy? Should she have felt guiltier than she did?
9. The novel obviously deals with young women, their struggles and their worries, but are any of those struggles or worries universal?