The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

Does the author’s reliance on the plot of the film You’ve Got Mail enhance or hinder the development of the novel? Support your with specific examples from both works.

How do Hart, Mercy, and her family members navigate the complexities of their own secrets? Compare and contrast the characters’ different approaches. How are these secrets brought to light, and what are the consequences of these moments of reckoning?

The subgenre of romantasy is sometimes criticized for its lack of diverse representation. How does this novel complicate, address, or fit this criticism?

Does Bannen dedicate equal time to explaining her fantasy world and developing the romance between Hart and Mercy, or is one aspect sacrificed for the sake of the other?

How does the author use subtle details of everyday life to convey deeper issues in Hart and Mercy’s inner emotional landscape? Be sure to analyze at least three examples from the text.

Compare and contrast the Warden with Hart’s mentor, Bill. How does each father figure help to shape the person that Hart becomes?

What beliefs do the people of Eternity hold about death, and how do their rituals honor these beliefs?

How does the novel’s thematic focus on developing emotional vulnerability conflict with the protagonists’ philosophies on life and death?