The Bones Beneath My Skin

How does the novel’s structure—beginning with Nate’s arrival at the cabin and ending with the trio’s long-term domestic arrangement—reflect the theme of The Healing Influence of Found Family? Consider how the physical spaces inhabited by the characters mirror their emotional development.

The novel presents multiple forms of “otherness” by depicting Art’s alien nature and the bigoted reactions of Nate’s parents to his sexuality. How do these different expressions of being “other” complement and contrast with each other, and what does this dynamic suggest about society’s treatment of identity?

How does the novel engage with the tradition of alien encounter narratives while subverting expectations? Consider Art’s choice to remain on Earth and the implications that this choice has for traditional science fiction tropes.