Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022

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Before You Read

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prelude-Introduction

Part 1, Chapters 1-2

Part 1, Chapters 3-4

Part 2, Chapters 5-6

Part 3, Chapter 7-Coda

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

What is Cain’s purpose for using the anecdote of the cellist of Sarajevo as the Prelude to the book? How does it set up the book? Evaluate how effectively Cain achieves the purpose.

Cain begins Chapter 1 with a personal anecdote. What is the purpose behind its inclusion? Evaluate her true intention here.

Cain relies on questions for the book’s chapter and part titles. How would you classify this strategy and is it effective? Why or why not?