52 pages • 1 hour read
Renee CarlinoBefore We Were Strangers
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 1-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 1 Summary: “Do You Still Think of Me?: Matt”
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content and substance use.
Thirty-six-year-old Matt Shore works at National Geographic. He’s been stationed at the New York office for several years. He loves his job but feels frustrated with his life. While sitting in his cubicle one day, he reflects on his former life in the field and how New York has changed since he got back. His coworker Scott stops by his desk and asks him to join him for lunch. When Matt’s ex-wife, Liz Hunt, walks past, Scott asks if it’s uncomfortable for Matt to work with her and her new husband, their other colleague Brad. Noticing Matt’s annoyance, Scott urges him to find another woman to sleep with.
On their way to lunch, Scott makes lewd comments about the women they pass. Matt ignores him. Then he notices a blonde woman on the subway platform rocking along to someone playing the violin. Just as she boards the train, he realizes the woman is Grace Starr. He races toward her train but is too late. Matt tells Scott he was with Grace before Liz. Scott suggests Matt try to get in touch with her.
After lunch, Matt unsuccessfully searches for Grace online.
