Floating in the Middle — by Frances Rivetti
About the Author
Frances Rivetti is a British-American author, journalist, and longtime Sonoma County, Northern California resident known for capturing the emotional and ecological story of the Northern California coastal region. Her Fog Valley nonfiction series blends regional heritage and foodways, while her award-winning novels—Big Green Country and The House on Liberty Street—explore community, resilience, and belonging.
Floating in the Middle brings her deep sense of place to the Sonoma Coast in a story where climate pressure, friendship, and hope converge.
About the Novel
Set on the eroding cliffs of the Northern California coast, Floating in the Middle follows seven former college roommates who reunite for a weekend to test the promise they once made: to someday build an intentional, sustainable community together.
As the land beneath them shifts—literally and emotionally—they confront climate fear, unresolved tensions, and the fragility of their own ideals.
Key Themes
• Climate Change as Lived Reality — Present-day environmental pressure shapes every decision.
• Found Family & Intentional Community — What does it mean to choose one another as a future?
• Home & Belonging — A cliffside house becomes a symbol of risk, heritage, and possibility.
• Friendship & Second Chances — Old loyalties meet new truths in a compressed, high-stakes weekend.
• Sonoma Coast as Character — The region’s beauty and instability mirror the lives of its inhabitants.
Warm-Up Questions
- What first drew you into the story—the setting, the characters, or the premise of a reunion or intentional community?
- The book opens with a strong sense of place. What emotions did the coastline evoke for you?
Discussion Questions
Setting & Atmosphere
- The eroding cliffside and Highway One are vividly rendered. How does the landscape shape mood, tension, or character behavior?
- Why do you think the author chose to anchor the story firmly in the present, rather than leaning into dystopian or speculative climate fiction?
Character Dynamics
- How does the presence of seven characters heighten the intensity of the four-day timeframe?
- Which character’s journey resonated with you most, and why?
- What did you find most authentic—or surprising—about the shifting loyalties among long-term friends?
Millennial Identity & the Future
- The characters face economic uncertainty, climate anxiety, and pressures around family and stability. What generational truths did you see reflected here?
- Did the story change your perspective on how Millennials view community and long-term planning?
Intentional Community: Ideal vs. Reality
- What appeals most to the group about creating an intentional, sustainable community?
- Where did you see the gap between their ideals and the realities of human behavior?
- Could you imagine joining an intentional community? What would you need for it to work?
Home, Safety & Second Chances
- The house itself feels like a character—unstable yet full of meaning. What does it symbolize for the group?
- How do ideas of home evolve for different characters throughout the novel?
- If you’ve read it, how does this book extend themes of second chances explored in The House on Liberty Street?
Craft & Style
- How did Frances Rivetti’s journalistic background influence the detail, pacing, or realism of the narrative?
- How does her deep nonfiction work in Sonoma County enrich the world of the novel?
Art & Visual Interpretation
- How did Laurie Mahan Sawyer’s cover illustration shape your expectations or deepen your sense of place?
- After finishing the book, did you interpret the artwork differently?
Reflection & Real-World Connections
- Did the novel spark any thoughts about climate preparedness, environmental stewardship, or sustainable living?
- What conversations do you hope communities (or policymakers) might have after reading a story like this?
- What do you imagine happens to the characters after the final page?
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