Book Club Discussion Questions
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
Smashing. . . . Fascinating. . . . Extremely subtle and nuanced. . . . [It has the] power to beguile and enthrall.
The New York Times Book ReviewThe
introduction, discussion questions, suggested reading list, and author
biography that follow are designed to enhance your groups reading of
Jane Smileys
Good Faith. In this new novel she brings her
extraordinary gifts to the seductive, wishful, wistful world of real
estate, in which the sport of choice is a mind game.
Reader's Guide
- Having given Joe Stratford the role of narrator, Smiley gives her
readers a great deal of access to Joes thoughts. What difference does
it make that the novel is narrated in first person rather than third?
Why does Smiley give us the story from Joes perspective?
- What
kind of a person is Joe? What does he think about himself, his marriage
to Sherry [pp. 1516], and his life? How accurate are his judgments
about himself and other people?
- Look closely at a couple of
scenes in which Felicity and Joe are alone together. What specific
details of Smileys writing style affect the readers experience of
their love affair? Does Felicity love Joe? Does he love her? If he
does, why does he not pursue her more actively?
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- How does the author develop themes of identity and belonging throughout the narrative?
- What role does the setting play in shaping the characters' decisions and relationships?
- Discuss how the ending reframes the events of the story. Were you surprised?
Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Anchor Books.
Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.