Sid is going crazy . . .

A telemarketer at a travel agency, Sid is becoming unhinged and superneurotic. Lately he's been obsessed with car washes and mud baths. His hypochondria is driving his doctor sister mad. And it's all because of his ex-girlfriend, Zoe, who's sending him postcards from her European adventure, one that they were supposed to take together. It's all quite upsetting.

A fact-finding tour of local post offices—and a new friendship with postman Gerald—followed by a solo European jaunt will do little to ease his anxiety. A long talk with his mother's spirit in a wine bottle doesn't help either. But what he really needs are a few more tentative dates with the chatty Candyce. Sid needs to get over Zoe and find love again—even though Zoe, apparently, has no inclination to be gotten over.

Wonderfully poignant, funny, odd, and more than a bit macabre, Postcards from a Dead Girl marks the emergence of a truly gifted and original literary voice.

2. Sid lives alone in the house where he grew up, but now his parents are deceased and his sister is married and living elsewhere. How does this affect him emotionally? How would you characterize Sid's feelings towards his sister, Natalie?  
3. Sid's memories of his relationship with Zoe change throughout the story. How do they differ from beginning to end?  
4. Sid has three romantic relationships in the novel. How do Zoe, Candyce, and Melanie affect him differently? How does he treat them?  
5. The characters surrounding Sid seem to live their lives effortlessly while Sid is always struggling. Which characters in particular show this contrast? 
6. Sid has frequent trouble with communication. He misunderstands his boss and his doctor, is confused by foreign languages on his trip to Europe, and cell phones won't stay connected. Does he ever manage to communicate clearly with anyone? How much of this is his own doing?  
7. Given the loss of both his parents, Sid seems fixated on death. What imagery appears throughout the story to reflect this? 
8. Sunshine and light are also frequent images. How does the sun affect Sid in places like New Jersey, Barcelona, and Highway 20? 
9. Sid has a powerful experience on Highway 20. How does this change him?  
10. From where do you think the postcards originated? Why do you think Sid resolves the postcard situation the way he does?  
11. What does the final scene of the novel suggest about Sid's future?

This book is on these lists:

• January 2012 Indie Next List
• December 2011 Indie Next List
• November 2011 Indie Next List