Characters – Who’s Who?

Caro

Caro used to laugh at other women’s maternal instincts – now she’s overwhelmed by an irrational desire for her own child. The problem is, in To Live or Let Live’s world, becoming a parent means giving up Life Extension therapy (LE) – and her family are not keen on the prospect of her growing old and dying before them

Reader, do you think Caro’s behaviour is selfish, or are her family insensitive to her natural needs and desires?

Nina

Caro’s mother, Nina, is a psychiatrist. She can’t bring herself to support Caro’s desire to become a parent, even though she feels she should. The book’s chapters alternate between the story of Nina’s relationship with Caro, and her sessions with her patients. These sessions keep echoing her family’s issues…

Reader, how would you feel if you found yourself in Nina’s shoes?

Dave

Happily married to Caro for several years, Dave is blindsided by her change of mind regarding parenthood. He wants to support his wife and her dream of becoming a mother, and yet he can’t share her excitement at the prospect as it means not growing old together, watching Caro age much faster than him, and being a single parent for decades.

Reader, how much choice do you think Dave should have in the decision to have a baby?

Nate

Nina’s husband and Caro’s father, Nate appears mild-mannered and has a spine of steel. As such, he’s one of the few people who can call Nina out when he thinks she’s being unreasonable. He brought Caro up to share his love of language, especially the use of archaic and seldom-used words.

Reader, do you think Nate is right to challenge Nina for her lack of enthusiasm about Caro wanting to have a baby?

Lorraine

Having chosen a long life over motherhood, Lorraine is diagnosed with a late-onset, severe reaction to LE medication. Now she will age and die faster than her peers, and childless. How can Nina help her?

Andrew

A world-famous scientist, Andrew not only feels he doesn’t deserve his fame and financial success, he’s struggling with a sense his life lacks purpose and….

Rose

Rose came to see Nina after her husband died tragically young. She works at the Museum of Recent History, and shows us what people in the future think of how we live today.

Tracey

Tracey is angry: at her mother-in-law, at her husband – and often with Nina. But why?

The Addison Family

Mother Kate gave up LE to become her mother – and now her teenage daughter Julia has attempted suicide and doesn’t want to live. Husband and father Craig is disengaged

Mother Kate gave up LE to become Julia’s mother – and now her teenage daughter Julia has attempted suicide and doesn’t want to live. Husband and father Craig is disengaged – could he be the issue?