That's Not My Name

How does Lally use diction, descriptive detail, and character reactions to create a creepy atmosphere around Alton and Wayne’s fishing cabin? What purpose does this atmosphere serve?

Lola is dead by the time the novel begins and thus never makes an actual appearance in the narrative. In what sense is she still a character? Which motifs, character reactions, and plot events create a sense of Lola’s “ghost” haunting the narrative?

Drew and Madison take turns narrating the book’s chapters. How does this narrative structure help to create suspense?

The novel makes a point of The Dangers of Isolation and the importance of human relationships. What kind of relationships is it pointing to as most important? How are Wayne’s choices particularly evil in this context?

Madison is an obvious example of Memory’s Role in Identity. How does Drew also illustrate this theme? How do his memories help shape his self-image, and how does his relationship to these memories change over time?

The isolated environment of rural Oregon contributes to the danger Madison is in. In what sense is nature itself portrayed as part of this danger? Does the book have a wholly negative view of nature, or are there also positive portrayals?

Max and Amber are somewhat flat and static characters who function mostly as sidekicks to assist Drew on his quest to find Lola. Are both of these characters necessary? What might be gained or lost by combining these two characters into one?

As is often the case in thrillers, in That’s Not My Name, a female character is placed in danger by the actions of a male character—and a different male character comes to her rescue. What does this pattern say about gender? How does the text also subvert patriarchal structures?