Bring The Other Side of the Straitjacket to Your Book Club

A free discussion guide and the opportunity to have Alicia join your conversation live.

A Book Made for Conversation

The Other Side of the Straitjacket tells the true story of Alicia Duncan's mother, Donna, who accessed Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) while her family believed she was experiencing a serious mental health crisis. Her death would later become the first police-investigated MAiD death in Canada.

More than one family's story, the book raises difficult questions about autonomy, mental illness, vulnerability, access to care, family, and the safeguards surrounding assisted dying in Canada.

Free Book Club Discussion Guide

The companion discussion guide includes chapter-by-chapter conversation starters, additional context, and questions to help guide your group's discussion.

Invite Alicia to Your Book Club

Book clubs can request a complimentary 30-minute virtual Q&A with Alicia, subject to availability.

Ask questions about the book, the story behind it, what has happened since Donna's death, or the issues and questions that came up during your group's discussion.

“My hope isn't that everyone finishes this book with the same opinion. It's that we're willing to ask difficult questions, especially when the answers aren't simple.”

— Alicia