Chapter 110 Summary & Analysis – Sue and Max's Salsa Dance
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
On a Wednesday evening, Sue tells Max she is embarrassed that the Death Lady turned her into a hypochondriac. Her recent illness was only an ordinary virus, and her rash was an allergic reaction to a bath bomb from her daughter-in-law. She is fully recovered and full of energy. Max drives her to a surprise location: a community hall for an eight-week salsa dancing course. He explains that when Sue was sick, he thought about their regrets and remembered she had wanted to learn salsa dancing – though Sue does not recall ever expressing that interest. She realises she probably pretended it was her wish to get him to exercise. They join the class, quickly enjoy it, and make friends. Sue thinks “lucky” to the rhythm. Later that night, while watching TV, Sue sees on Facebook that another passenger has been diagnosed with a serious disease correctly predicted by the Death Lady, but intends to beat it. She puts down her phone and decides to cherish every moment she has left.
Key Events
- Sue fully recovers from her virus; the rash was an allergic reaction.
- Max takes Sue to a salsa dancing class as a surprise.
- Max admits that Sue’s recent scare made him rethink regrets.
- Sue and Max enjoy the class and make new friends.
- Sue notices a Facebook post about another passenger receiving a predicted diagnosis.
- Sue resolves to stop fussing and cherish each remaining moment.
Character Development
Sue
Sue’s arc in this chapter shows her moving from hypochondria and fear back to her natural optimism. She is embarrassed by her overreaction, but Max reassures her. Her private thought of “lucky” highlights her gratitude. She also demonstrates a protective instinct: she chooses not to share the Facebook news with Max, wanting to preserve their joyful evening. This quiet maturity reflects how she has internalized the Death Lady’s warning without letting it consume her.
Max
Max reveals a deeper emotional side. He admits he is no longer angry at the Death Lady because the scare prompted “chats” about important matters they had never fully discussed – funerals, passwords, and even an outfit for Sue’s corpse. His decision to surprise Sue with salsa dancing, something he believes she always wanted, shows his love and his desire to act on regrets before it is too late. He is playful and committed to making the most of their time together.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Living Fully in the Face of Mortality
The central theme is embracing life after a false alarm. Sue and Max’s salsa dancing symbolises joy, physical connection, and spontaneity. Max’s comment about “making friends for life” underscores how they continue to expand their social world, refusing to shrink from risk.
Hypochondria vs. Genuine Precaution
Sue’s self-awareness about becoming a hypochondriac illustrates the psychological tightrope that the Death Lady’s predictions create. The chapter shows that a “red herring” illness can still spark valuable conversations about death and legacy, yet also risk unnecessary panic.
Cherishing the Ordinary
Sue’s mantra “lucky” repeated to the salsa beat transforms a simple dance into a meditation on gratitude. The evening ends with toasted cheese sandwiches and a re-run of Frasier – humble pleasures made precious because they may be numbered. The Facebook post about another passenger serves as a reminder that for others, the prediction is coming true, intensifying Sue’s resolve.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides a rare moment of lightness and relief after the tension of Sue’s earlier scare. It deepens Sue and Max’s relationship, showing how they have used the Death Lady’s warning as a catalyst for positive change rather than despair. The contrast between their joyful dance and the grim news of another passenger’s diagnosis underscores the novel’s central tension: some predictions may be accurate, but characters can still choose how to respond. Sue’s decision to put her phone down and focus on the present models a resilient attitude that the book holds up as an ideal.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sue feel embarrassed at the beginning of the chapter, and how does Max respond?
Sue feels embarrassed that the Death Lady turned her into a hypochondriac. She asks Max to slap her if she overreacts again. Max grimaces at the thought and says she did not overreact, showing his gentle reassurance.
2. What does Max reveal about his changed feelings toward the Death Lady?
Max says he is no longer angry with the lady because her prediction led to important conversations about death and practical matters that they had never fully discussed. He values that they now have their affairs in order and have shared deeper thoughts.
3. How does Sue react to the Facebook post about another passenger’s diagnosis, and what does this reveal about her character?
Sue sees the post but says nothing to Max and turns her attention back to the television. This reveals her decision to protect their peaceful evening and to stop worrying about what she cannot control. It shows her commitment to living in the present moment.