Printable Book Club Questions for How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

What were your expectations and impression of the novel?
Tom is told by Hendrich of the Albatross Society that the primary rule is not to fall in love.
“You are, of course, allowed to love food and music and champagne and rare sunny afternoons in October. You can love the sight of waterfalls and the smell of old books, but the love of people is off limits.”
Why do you think Hendrich had this rule? Why is falling in love determintal to those like Tom? How did it allow Hendrich to control them? Also, what do you think Hendrich’s ultimate goal was?
The book promises a love story but it isn’t anything resembling an epic romance like The Time Traveler’s Wife. Tom falls for Camille and she seems interested (and perplexed) by him but it’s not until the end that we find out they do fall in love. Did you want it to be more of a love story or did you like how it was more hinted?
Throughout the novel, Tom’s focus is on finding his daughter. And when they finally meet, she’s not what he expected. What did you think of their meeting and interaction? Why do you think she turned out the way she did?
Which time period were you most interested by? Which scene involving a famous figure (Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, Captain Cook) did you enjoy the most? Did you like the appearances of famous people?
The story switches from the past to the present with each chapter. Did you enjoy the flow or were you confused at any point?
Some of the themes include embracing change, letting go of one’s past and learning how to live a fulfilled life. What other themes did you pick up on?
If you had Tom’s condition, how would you chose to live? Where would you live? What would you do?
Do you think having the ability to live for centuries would be a blessing (like Hendrich) or curse (like Tom)? Why?
How to Stop Time is slated to become a movie with Benedict Cumberbatch. Are you planning to see the movie? Which scenes do you think will most likely make the film?