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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Neva Hafta: A Novel

1. Nick is so focused on finding a spouse that he evaluates nearly every woman he meets as potential wife material. In his haste, he never really thinks about what he wants in a woman. Why does he find "the One" only when he stops looking for her? How does Tabitha compare to the women he was involved with in the past year?

2. In his marriage search, Nick dates as much as possible, but doesn't always let on to his real motives. Is he misleading the women he dates by not being completely honest with them? Is he using them?

3. Mal and Mia's marital problems are caused by a loss of trust in each other. Even though their separation occurred over a misunderstanding, was Malloy right to leave his wife? How hard is it to trust your spouse?

4. Nick bases his need to get married on a desire to give his mother one last happiness before she dies. But the harder he tries to find a wife, the less promising his marriage prospects become. Is his mother's illness enough reason to get married? Are there any wrong reasons for getting married?

5. Is it ethical for Nick to use his experiences with friends as material for his column without telling them about it?

6. Many of Nick's female friends -- Queen, Chantel, Maya T -- see a tradeoff between relationships and their careers. As a result they choose to focus on their jobs now and leave marriage for later. Is this possible? Why isn't Nick content with the same?

7. Nick has his own set of dating rules, even if he doesn't always follow them. How true are his "cardinal rules of dating"? Is Nick's refusal to date women with children fair?

8. When Molly tells Nick she is pregnant with his child, he knows he has gotten about as far away from his marriage goal as possible. Why is Molly's accusation so devastating? How hard is it to have a child with a person you never intended to date?

9. Nick's friends Carlton and Jeannie marry within months of meeting each other and shortly after Nick meets Tabitha he knows she is the one he wants to marry. Can you tell immediately when someone is right for you?

10. Neva Hafta is as much about friendship as it is about finding a mate. How important are friends to Nick's life? How much are friends allowed to intervene in each other's lives?

Neva Hafta: A Novel
by Edwardo Jackson

  • Publication Date: October 14, 2003
  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Villard
  • ISBN-10: 0375757740
  • ISBN-13: 9780375757747