1. Discuss the qualities of a good memoir. How does After the Falls incorporate these qualities?

2. How does Catherine Gildiner’s description of the era in After the Falls resemble your memories or impressions of that time?

3. In the author’s note, Catherine shares: “In many ways the trajectory of my life during that time mirrored what was happening in the sixties across North America. Residual fifties conservatism evolved into riots in the streets, all in a few years – and in my own life I experienced just as radical and tumultuous a transformation.” Do you think that Catherine’s transformation was inevitable, regardless of the societal changes?

4. How do you feel about the relationship Catherine had with her parents throughout her teens? Would you consider this relationship to be typical?

5. Discuss the relationship Catherine has with the men in her life including Laurie, her father and the memory of Roy.

6. Music plays a large role in the descriptions of events throughout the book. Does music play as significant a role in our daily lives now as it did then?

7. Catherine struggles throughout her life with double standards and issues of moral hypocrisy. What are some of the scenarios in the book where this duplicity is especially pronounced? How do you feel about her reactions and the reactions of those around her, including her parents?

8. If you’ve read Too Close to the Falls, did your impressions of Roy change by reading After the Falls? Did your impressions of Catherine’s parents change?

9. Throughout this book there are stories of great sadness, anger and frustration. How does Catherine’s humour contribute to her storytelling, even during sadder times?

10. What is the most significant moment in After the Falls? What about in your own life?

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