The House Across the Lake

Discuss the role of memory and nostalgia in the novel. What memories does Casey run from and why is she avoiding them? How does her choice to suppress these memories impact her life at the lake house?

Analyze the character of Casey Fletcher. How does she evolve throughout the novel, and what motivates her actions and decisions? Is she ultimately a “good” or “bad” person?

How does the setting of Lake Greene contribute to the atmosphere of the novel? What themes or motifs are associated with the lake and its surrounding area?

Discuss the use of observation in the novel, through the binoculars, the glass house, and social media. What effect does voyeurism have on the characters, and is voyeurism an ultimately helpful or harmful tool?

Analyze the relationship between Casey and her mother Lolly. Casey says “I’m never going to become the star my mother is, which isn’t my goal. But I am a name. People know me” (34), revealing that despite her attempts to avoid her mother’s life, she has in some ways followed in her footsteps. How do they interact with each other, and how does their complicated past impact their present relationship?

How does Sager use foreshadowing and symbolism in The House Across the Lake? Use specific examples from the text.

Discuss the role of technology in the novel. How does the use of cameras, laptops, and other devices impact the story, and what commentary does Sager offer on our dependence on technology?

Analyze the novel’s title, The House Across the Lake. What significance does the Royces’ household have in the story, and how does it relate to the larger themes and motifs of the novel?