'Noah's Compass' by Anne Tyler - Book Club Discussion Questions

Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler is a novel about Liam Pennywell, a schoolteacher who was forced to retire at 61, but who doesn't really mind because he never felt particularly fulfilled. Use these book club discussion questions on Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler to lead your reading group in a discussion about the book.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal details about Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler. Finish the book before reading on.

1. The title, "Noah's Compass," comes from a conversation that Liam has with his grandson. How do you think this conversation relates to the rest of the book? How is Liam like Noah?
2. Could you understand Liam's desire to remember when he was attacked? Would you want to remember, even if the memory were traumatic?
3. Why do you think Liam ultimately came to a place where he felt that remembering the night of the attack was no longer important?
4. Why do you think Liam was so attracted to Eunice?
5. Do you think Liam should have stayed together with Eunice and let her leave her husband? Do you think he would have been happier?
6. What do you think of Liam's admission that he was not particularly unhappy but could not see any reason to go on living?
7. How would you describe Liam's relationships with his daughters? Do you think they improved by the end of the novel?
8. Did Liam change at all from the beginning of the novel until the end?
9. Rate Noah's Compass on a scale of 1 to 5.