Two of the twelve Book Club discussion questions at the back of the book:

How does the story of Cain and Abel relate to the themes of the novel? What are the various ways characters interpret Cain's question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Did any of the interpretations surprise you? Why?

Epigenetics, the subject of Steve Flemm's fictitious book in the novel, examines how environmental factors like trauma influence genes and how such genetic changes can be passed down to subsequent generations. How does trauma--inherited, personal, or societal--affect various characters' behaviors in the novel? How does inherited trauma affect the community of the synagogue as a whole? Do you think the concept illuminates the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and the international response to the events of October 7?