Here’s my question for MJ Rose: How do you think the philosophy of reincarnation fits with today’s society? My parents were raised Catholic and yet always talked about their next life or their past life (I’m Asian-American). Do you think this duality of belief occurs more often than we realize? Or is it just a cultural/ethnic thing?

I find it interesting that the city of choice is Rome considering the staunch religious beliefs in that area of the world and the strong-hold of the Vatican even today. Was this a conscious decision to juxtapose the theory of reincarnation and a pagan priest, with a city that is so strongly catholic today?

I’m also curious about Josh’s job as a photojournalist and how that plays a role in the story? Having not read the book yet I can only guess as to the motives. Photojournalism is something of special interest to me, so I’m curious. Is it perhaps because as a photojournalist covering so many different stories in different parts of the world, you are observing and “experiencing” so many different lives - and yet, it’s all shielded through the lens, so it’s only a partial experience?