Book Club Discussion Questions for Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Book Club Discussion Questions

Print PDF

In a book club? Subscribe to our Book Club Newsletter and get our best book club books of 2026!



For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Elinor Smith and our BookBrowse Review of Great Circle.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Why do you think Marian wants to fly around the world? Have you ever wanted to take a major risk without quite knowing why?
2. What do you think Hadley wants from playing the role of Marian? Do you think her expectations are met?
3. How is Marian's life shaped by her experiences of love? Do you think she really wants to love someone? What about Hadley?
4. What do you think is Marian's idea of freedom? What is yours?
5. How does Marian's relationship with her brother, Jamie, evolve over time? How would you react if you had a sibling like Marian?
6. Do you think Peregrine is going to be a good movie?
7. How do you think Marian was shaped by her unusual childhood? Do you think she was bruised or strengthened by the fact that she never knew her parents?
8. Hadley says that no story can ever be whole. What do you think she means?
9. Which friend or relative would you pass this book on to and why?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Vintage. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.