Warning: Spoilers Ahead
In this week’s episode of Book Club Problems, the gang talks about only having one day left to live—but don’t worry; it’s not actually anyone’s last day. The book up for discussion is They Both Die At The End.
Given the title alone, it isn’t hard to imagine how easily everyone’s mind jumps to thinking about what they’re doing with their lives. The group shares just how much they loved the book, including the relationship between its main characters, Mateo and Rufus. Additionally, each person talks about what they would do if they knew they only had one day left on Earth. Marcus shocks everyone by seeming to give a heartfelt, vulnerable response to what he would do differently…though his answer isn’t quite what the others are expecting.
Read on to find discussion themes and questions you can use for your next book club meeting!
Watch the episode here!
Book Synopsis
Adam Silvera reminds us that there’s no life without death and no love without loss in this devastating yet uplifting story about two people whose lives change over the course of one unforgettable day.
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.
Book Club Discussion Topics/Questions
While plenty of us may ponder, even fear, when our last day will be, “They Both Die At The End” posits the question of “If you knew it was your last day, how would you truly spend it?” It can be easy to claim you would do something heroic, make amends with others, or spend time with your closest loved ones, but it’s difficult to know for sure how you might handle things unless you’re actually in the position.
Looking at the title, as well as the statement towards the beginning of the book declaring there is no avoiding death once it’s been determined by Death-Cast, it can almost feel like a spoiler. But is it?
The book seems to have an overarching theme of embracing the present, given no one knows when their last day might arrive. Despite knowing their last day left on Earth, Mateo and Rufus are determined to make the most of it, and both go through intense transformations in the process. The book seems to imply that living each day as if it’s your last can serve as a powerful catalyst to push you into having the courage to do what you want and need to in life.
Additionally,
- Would you want to know when your last day was if you were able?
- If you knew it was your last day, would you do anything differently? Why or why not?
- What did you think of the romantic storyline between Mateo and Rufus?
- Most of the story is told from Mateo or Rufus’ point of view, yet some of the chapters switch to seemingly “random” other characters. Why do you think the author did this? Did it enhance the story for you at all?
- Despite knowing he’s going to die, Mateo doesn’t want to tell Lidia when he goes to see her one last time. If you knew you were going to die, would you tell anyone? Why or why not?
- How did the story challenge you to contemplate your own life and death?
- How did you feel about the ending of the book? Were you hoping for something different?