Literally Leander discussion

The book for June 2020 Let's Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry. There are definitely spoilers for the book in this thread, so consider yourself warned!

This month, our discussion prompts were written by a staff member. As always, don't feel like you need to answer these; we like to give them to get the conversation started. Otherwise, please post any thoughts, questions, or observations you had while reading!

1. How did you like Ellis as a narrator? Did she have the voice of an authentic teenager?

2. What did you think of the author’s portrayal of anxiety? Did you feel that Ellis’s narration was an honest interpretation of what people with anxiety think and feel?

3. Ellis and Hannah quickly become friends. In what ways were they good for each other? In what ways did they cause trouble for one another?

4. How would you describe Ellis’s relationships with her family? How do they ease, or worsen, her anxiety?

5. Ellis finds solace in her religion. What makes you feel at peace when you’re stressed?

6. Do you believe that Hannah truly had visions of the future? Or were the events coincidences or happenings created by Ellis and Hannah, as Ellis believed? If you were Ellis, would you have forgiven Hannah for lying about her visions?

This was a book that I didn't love. I mean, I wasn't all that excited to read it in the first place (sorry, not sorry). Did that have an effect on how I think of the book now that I've finished? Perhaps. But in truth, I just think it was a little too kooky.

I actually have a fairly strong statement to make: if Hannah hadn't been a part of the story, I probably would've liked it more. I know that her inclusion in the story is, well, practically the entire plot, but I think that this book could've been a really heartwarming novel about a young woman exploring her sexuality, her religion, and her anxiety. Hannah just felt like a means to an end for me, and I would've liked to imagine that this story could've hit me deeper if it had been more focused on heavier topics.

2. What did you think of the author’s portrayal of anxiety? Did you feel that Ellis’s narration was an honest interpretation of what people with anxiety think and feel?
The most impressive part of Ellis's narration for me was her depiction of life with anxiety. As someone who has anxiety, Ellis's experiences did feel very authentic to me. There was one scene in which Ellis opens up to her therapist that really hit me emotionally; I recognized myself in her, and if that's not the mark of authenticity then I don't know what is.

3. Ellis and Hannah quickly become friends. In what ways were they good for each other? In what ways did they cause trouble for one another?
Given how I feel about Hannah, you could probably imagine all the ways in which I could talk about how she had a negative effect on Ellis. But I do have to admit that she might've intially had a positive effect... because Ellis finally had someone who didn't see her worries as crazy and ineffective. Of course, Hannah becomes a bit of an enabler when it comes to Ellis's anxiety. And honestly, I was angry on Ellis's behalf after finding out that Hannah had been lying to her all along.

6. Do you believe that Hannah truly had visions of the future? Or were the events coincidences or happenings created by Ellis and Hannah, as Ellis believed? If you were Ellis, would you have forgiven Hannah for lying about her visions?
I don't think Hannah's visions were real. I think that she employed vague generalizations and took advantage of Ellis's fear--and Ellis's willingness to believe. Personally, I don't think I could've forgiven Hannah as quickly or easily as Ellis did. It felt like Hannah preyed on Ellis's weakness, and that's the least trustworthy thing a person can do.

1. How did you like Ellis as a narrator? Did she have the voice of an authentic teenager?
I liked Ellis as a narrator. She was a realistic and relatable character.

2. What did you think of the author’s portrayal of anxiety? Did you feel that Ellis’s narration was an honest interpretation of what people with anxiety think and feel?
I was pleased with how Henry portrayed anxiety. In fact, I thought this book contained some of the best representation of anxiety that I have read. I have anxiety and teared up several times while listening to the book because the way Henry depicted Ellis's anxiety felt true to my own experiences.

4. How would you describe Ellis’s relationships with her family? How do they ease, or worsen, her anxiety?
I really did not like Ellis's mother. She treated Ellis's anxiety like it was a burden and inconvenience for her. She did not understand why Ellis could not stop herself from having intrusive thoughts. Ellis's relationship with her mother caused her a lot of tension and worsened her anxiety.

6. Do you believe that Hannah truly had visions of the future? Or were the events coincidences or happenings created by Ellis and Hannah, as Ellis believed? If you were Ellis, would you have forgiven Hannah for lying about her visions?
I do not believe that Hannah truly had visions of the future. If I were Ellis, I would not have easily forgiven Hannah for lying about her visions. I thought Hannah was taking advantage of Ellis and, like Kristen said, preying on her weakness, which was unacceptable. I thought Ellis may have forgiven Hannah as easily as she did because forgiveness is an essential part of her LDS faith.

Kristen wrote: "I think that this book could've been a really heartwarming novel about a young woman exploring her sexuality, her religion, and her anxiety. Hannah just felt like a means to an end for me, and I would've liked to imagine that this story could've hit me deeper if it had been more focused on heavier topics."
I agree with you. The doomsday plot was my least favorite part of the novel. I wish there had been more focus on Ellis questioning her sexuality and the relationship between her sexuality and LDS faith. This plot was overshadowed by Hannah and the doomsday plot.