All Adults Here

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. When have you experienced or witnessed a moment that prompted a significant life change, similar to Astrid’s revelation after Barbara’s death?

2. Porter chooses to become a single mother, prioritizing motherhood over waiting for the right relationship. What do you think about her decision?

3. The relationship between Astrid and her adult children shifts throughout the novel as they reconsider old wounds and resentments. How have your relationships with family members evolved over time?

4. What aspects of Robin’s gender identity journey did you find most meaningful or impactful?

5. Elliot struggles with measuring success against societal standards versus personal fulfillment. How do you define success in your own life?

6. What personal experiences have you had with standing up for someone else, as Cecelia does for Robin, when it might come at a personal cost?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. In what ways does the novel’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences reflect or challenge contemporary social attitudes?

2. The book contrasts Astrid’s traditional parenting style with the more modern approaches of her children. What social shifts in parenting does the novel highlight?

3. How does the economic tension between small-town businesses and corporate chains in Clapham reflect broader societal concerns you’ve observed in your own community?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What statement might Straub be making about the concept of adulthood through her title choice, given that the teenage characters often demonstrate more maturity than their adult counterparts?

2. What does the Harvest Festival represent symbolically in terms of the book’s themes?

3. The novel’s exploration of familial secrets and revelations brings to mind similar themes in works like Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. How does secrecy function as a literary device in advancing the plot and developing character relationships?

4. What symbolic significance does Elliot’s building hold in relation to his character development?

5. Why might Straub have chosen to conclude the novel with the perspective of Barbara, who died at the beginning of the story?

6. In what ways does Straub’s use of multiple perspectives enhance or complicate your understanding of the Strick family dynamics?