Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close: Summary

The major themes in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close are grief, resilience and hope. The novel follows the story of nine-year-old Oskar Schell, who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father, who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Through his exploration of New York City in an attempt to solve a mystery left by his father, Oskar learns how to cope with his grief and find solace and hope for the future. The novel deals with themes of family bonds, intergenerational trauma, and the power of community in helping us heal from loss.

1. What themes or motifs stand out to you in the novel?
2. How does Oskar's experience of grief inform his character throughout the story?
3. Do any other characters besides Oskar demonstrate their own forms of grief?
4. How did Oskar's search for the lock that fit the key help him process his grief?
5. How does Oskar's imaginations of what happened on that day differ from reality?
6. How does Oskar's relationship with his father change throughout the course of the novel?
7. What do you think of the way Jonathan Safran Foer utilizes photographs and other non-traditional pieces in the novel?
8. To what extent are Oskar's adventures a metaphor for growing up or coming to terms with life’s difficulties?
9. What message do you take away from Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close?
10. In what ways does this novel challenge our preconceived notions about how we should confront trauma and loss?

• The characters in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close are incredibly well-developed and complex, making it an engaging read.
• The novel's exploration of grief and loss is highly poignant and thought-provoking.
• The intertwining storylines in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close make for a captivating narrative.
• I found the juxtaposition between the real world and the inner world of Oskar to be quite powerful.
• The imagery in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is masterfully crafted, creating vivid images in the reader's mind.
• The themes of resilience and hope that are present throughout the novel are truly inspiring.
• I was especially moved by the relationship between Oskar and his grandfather - it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time!
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close offers a unique perspective on how people cope with trauma and the aftermath of tragedy.
• The nonlinear structure of the narrative adds to its complexity and overall impact on the reader.
• Overall, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time.

1. "Sometimes I think my head is so full of thoughts it might explode."
2. "What if the world is a forest and we are just lost in the trees?"
3. "You can't just forget things. You have to keep remembering."
4. "Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living."
5. "I don't think there's any point in knowing things unless you know them in your heart."

TV Adaptation There is currently no TV adaptation of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Film Adaptation The novel was adapted into a feature film in 2011, directed by Stephen Daldry and starring Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, and John Goodman. Radio Adaptation In 2016, BBC Radio 4 produced a two-part radio adaptation of the novel. Podcast Adaptation No podcast adaptation exists at this time. Theatrical Adaptation No theatrical adaptation exists at this time.

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