Here we go.

OWSE is in the capable hands of a few members of my brain trust. I honestly have no idea what they will think. This is a very different book from WHOSS.

Nutshell reason: WHOSS is plot-driven. OWSE is character-driven.

I think I want to say that, in WHOSS, the characters reacted mostly to events. They made decisions based on somewhat linear pieces of data. Much of what happened in WHOSS was within the control of human hands.

In OWSE, the characters react to events that they had no chance to control or even influence.

And I believe people react differently to situations that they cannot control. Much more emotionally--whether that emotion manifests or remains suppressed.

Grief, regret and redemption. I'm thinking those are the three words that describe what's going on in OWSE. But then I believe two of the three work for WHOSS, as well.

Oh! I think I'm on to something.

OWSE: Grief, regret, redemption.

WHOSS: Choices, regret, redemption.

Someone may want to argue the redemption angle in WHOSS with me, but I think it's there.