Synopsis & Basic Details

What is Five Feet Apart about?

• CF patient's love story: Five Feet Apart centers on Stella Grant, a teenager with cystic fibrosis (CF), who falls in love with Will Newman, another CF patient, while both are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
• Navigating life-threatening illness: The story explores their relationship as they navigate the challenges and restrictions imposed by their illness, including the crucial rule of maintaining a safe distance to prevent cross-infection.
• Balancing love and survival: Stella and Will grapple with their feelings for each other while facing the reality that getting too close could have deadly consequences, forcing them to make difficult choices about love, life, and sacrifice.

Why should I read Five Feet Apart?

• Emotional and thought-provoking: The novel offers an emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and the will to live in the face of a life-threatening illness, prompting readers to contemplate the value of human connection and the meaning of life.
• Raises CF awareness: Five Feet Apart increases awareness about cystic fibrosis, providing insight into the daily struggles and challenges faced by individuals living with the disease and their loved ones.
• Inspirational and uplifting: Despite the heavy themes, the story ultimately offers an uplifting message about resilience, hope, and the power of love to transcend even the most difficult circumstances, inspiring readers to appreciate the preciousness of life.

What is the background of Five Feet Apart?

• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation support: The story was inspired by real-life experiences of individuals with cystic fibrosis, and the authors worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to ensure accurate representation of the disease and its impact.
• Modern medical setting: The novel is set in a contemporary hospital environment, reflecting the advancements in medical treatments and technologies available to CF patients, such as IV antibiotics, G-tubes, and lung transplant options.
• Social media influence: The story incorporates elements of social media and online communities, reflecting the ways in which individuals with chronic illnesses connect, share their experiences, and raise awareness about their conditions in the digital age.

What are the most memorable quotes in Five Feet Apart?

• "If I'm going to die, I'd like to actually live first.": This quote encapsulates Will's rebellious spirit and his desire to experience life to the fullest, even if it means taking risks and defying the restrictions imposed by his illness.
• "I'm done living like I'm waiting to die.": This quote reflects Stella's transformation from a rule-following patient to someone who actively seeks out joy and connection, challenging the limitations of her illness and embracing the present moment.
• "Human touch. Our first form of communication. Safety, security, comfort, all in the gentle caress of a finger, or the brush of lips on a soft cheek.": This quote highlights the importance of physical connection and the profound impact of touch on human relationships, especially for those who are deprived of it due to illness.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Rachael Lippincott use?

• First-person perspective: The story is primarily told from Stella's point of view, allowing readers to intimately experience her thoughts, emotions, and struggles as she navigates her illness and relationship with Will.
• Realistic dialogue: The dialogue is authentic and relatable, capturing the voices and personalities of the teenage characters and reflecting the way they communicate with each other in a hospital setting.
• Symbolism and imagery: Lippincott uses recurring symbols and vivid imagery to enhance the emotional impact of the story, such as the five-feet-apart rule, the lungs of flowers drawing, and the ice pond, which represent the characters' limitations, hopes, and fears.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

• Abby's drawings as emotional anchors: The drawings Abby made for Stella over the years aren't just decorations; they represent Abby's continued presence and Stella's memories of her sister, serving as emotional anchors in the sterile hospital environment.
• Stella's app as control mechanism: Stella's app, initially designed to manage her medications, symbolizes her need for control in a life dominated by uncertainty. It also highlights her intelligence and resourcefulness in facing her illness.
• Poe's spice rack as personality: Poe's converted med cart spice rack reveals his passion for cooking and his ability to find joy and creativity even within the confines of the hospital, showcasing his vibrant personality.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

• Early mention of B. cepacia: The early mention of Will's B. cepacia infection foreshadows the central conflict of the story, highlighting the danger he poses to Stella and the ultimate reason for their separation.
• Stella's winter formal photos: The winter formal photos serve as a callback to Stella's desire for a normal teenage life, contrasting with her reality of being confined to the hospital and missing out on typical experiences.
• Abby's "bushel and a peck": Abby's phrase "bushel and a peck" becomes a poignant callback during Stella's surgery, symbolizing Abby's love and support and providing Stella with comfort in a moment of fear and uncertainty.

What are some unexpected character connections?

• Barb's past with CF patients: Barb's past experience with Trevor and Amy, two CF patients who cross-infected and died, explains her strict adherence to the rules and her initial disapproval of Stella and Will's relationship, adding depth to her character.
• Will's mom's financial influence: Will's mom's wealth and influence, used to secure his spot in the drug trial, contrast with his rebellious attitude and highlight the complex dynamics of their relationship, revealing her desperation to save him.
• Poe's deportation story: Poe's story of his parents' deportation adds a layer of complexity to his character, revealing the challenges he faces beyond his illness and highlighting the social and economic factors that impact his life.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

• Julie as maternal figure: Julie, the pregnant nurse, represents a sense of hope and new life, contrasting with the illness and loss that permeate the hospital environment. Her pregnancy also highlights Stella's complex feelings about motherhood and her own mortality.
• Hope and Jason as outside connection: Hope and Jason, Will's friends from school, provide a connection to the outside world and a reminder of the life he is missing, highlighting the social isolation experienced by individuals with chronic illnesses.
• Dr. Hamid as medical authority: Dr. Hamid, Stella's doctor, represents the medical establishment and the scientific approach to treating CF. Her guidance and expertise are crucial in helping Stella navigate her illness, but her limitations also highlight the challenges of living with a terminal disease.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

• Stella's need for control: Stella's meticulous adherence to her treatment regimen stems from a deep-seated need for control in a life dominated by uncertainty and loss, providing her with a sense of purpose and agency.
• Will's fear of attachment: Will's initial recklessness and resistance to treatment are driven by a fear of attachment and a desire to avoid the pain of loss, as he has already accepted his limited lifespan.
• Poe's fear of burdening others: Poe's reluctance to commit to a relationship stems from a fear of burdening others with his illness and the financial and emotional toll it takes on his loved ones, reflecting his selflessness and concern for others.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

• Stella's survivor's guilt: Stella grapples with survivor's guilt after Abby's death, feeling responsible for her sister's passing and driven to live a life worthy of her sacrifice, leading to a constant pressure to succeed and stay healthy.
• Will's fatalism: Will exhibits a sense of fatalism, believing that his B. cepacia infection makes his situation hopeless, leading to a self-destructive pattern of behavior and a resistance to treatment, reflecting his struggle to find meaning in a life with limited possibilities.
• Poe's commitment issues: Poe struggles with commitment issues, stemming from a fear of burdening others with his illness and a desire to protect himself from the pain of loss, leading to a pattern of short-term relationships and a reluctance to fully invest in love.

What are the major emotional turning points?

• Stella's fall through the ice: Stella's near-death experience on the ice pond forces her to confront her fears and reevaluate her priorities, leading her to embrace life more fully and take risks she would have previously avoided.
• Poe's sudden death: Poe's sudden death serves as a major emotional turning point for Stella, forcing her to confront the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment, leading her to question her previous choices and embrace love more fully.
• Will's decision to leave: Will's selfless decision to leave Stella so she can receive a lung transplant marks a poignant turning point in their relationship, highlighting the depth of their love and the sacrifices they are willing to make for each other's well-being.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

• Stella and Will's defiance of rules: Stella and Will's relationship evolves from initial frustration to a deep connection as they challenge the rules and restrictions imposed by their illness, finding solace and support in each other's company.
• Stella and Poe's platonic bond: Stella and Poe's relationship evolves from childhood friendship to a deep platonic bond, providing each other with unwavering support and understanding, highlighting the importance of friendship in navigating chronic illness.
• Stella's parents' reconciliation: Stella's parents' relationship evolves from estrangement to reconciliation as they come together to support their daughter, highlighting the power of love and family to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

• Will's long-term prognosis: The novel leaves Will's long-term prognosis ambiguous, leaving readers to wonder about his future and whether he will find a treatment for his B. cepacia infection, highlighting the uncertainty of living with a terminal illness.
• Stella's future relationships: The novel does not explicitly state whether Stella will find love again after Will, leaving readers to imagine her future and the possibility of new relationships, emphasizing the ongoing journey of life and love.
• The impact of Stella's choice: The long-term impact of Stella's choice to prioritize her health over her relationship with Will remains open-ended, leaving readers to contemplate the consequences of her decision and the challenges of living with a chronic illness.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in Five Feet Apart?

• Will's mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: Will's decision to give Stella mouth-to-mouth resuscitation despite the risk of cross-infection is a controversial moment, raising questions about the ethics of risking one's life for love and the potential consequences of such actions.
• Stella's initial focus on rules: Stella's initial focus on rules and control can be seen as both admirable and limiting, raising questions about the balance between self-preservation and living a fulfilling life, and whether her strict adherence to the regimen is ultimately beneficial or detrimental.
• The ending's message about love and sacrifice: The ending's message about love and sacrifice can be interpreted in different ways, with some readers finding it inspiring and others finding it tragic, prompting debate about the true meaning of love and the lengths to which one should go for another person.

Five Feet Apart Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

• Stella receives new lungs: Stella receives a lung transplant, offering her a chance at a longer and healthier life, symbolizing hope and the possibility of a new beginning.
• Will chooses to leave: Will makes the difficult decision to leave Stella, recognizing that his presence poses a threat to her health and future, highlighting the theme of selfless love and sacrifice.
• A bittersweet separation: The ending is bittersweet, with Stella embracing her new life while acknowledging the pain of separation from Will, emphasizing the enduring power of love and the importance of living fully, even in the face of loss.