Big Lies in a Small Town: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Chamberlain’s novel weaves together two timelines: Anna’s story from 1940 and Morgan’s from 2018. What impact did this dual-timeline structure have on your reading experience?

2. How does this novel compare to Chamberlain’s other works, such as Necessary Lies or The Last House on the Street? If this was your first experience with Chamberlain’s writing, what aspects might encourage you to read more of her work?

3. What single moment or revelation in the novel surprised you most?

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

1. Both Anna and Morgan find healing through their artistic work. When have you used a creative outlet to process difficult experiences in your life?

2. What unfamiliar social situations have you navigated that mirror Anna’s adjustment to life in Edenton?

3. Jesse’s family risks everything to protect Anna after Martin’s death. Describe a time when you stepped in to help someone despite potential consequences for yourself.

4. Which character’s journey resonated most deeply with your own life experiences?

5. What values portrayed in the novel align with or challenge your personal beliefs?

6. In what ways do you relate to the novel’s exploration of found family versus biological connections?

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

1. What aspects of systemic racism portrayed in the 1940s storyline still persist in today’s social climate?

2. The novel portrays small-town dynamics that both nurture and constrain inhabitants. What examples from the book reflect contemporary community structures you’ve observed?

3. What does the government-commissioned mural project suggest about the value of public art in society?

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

1. The mural serves as both a literal and symbolic centerpiece in the novel. What does it represent for each main character?

2. In what ways do the artistic elements that Anna incorporates into her mural reflect her psychological state?

3. Which character undergoes the most significant transformation throughout the novel, and why?

4. In what ways does the alternating narrative structure create suspense while gradually revealing the connections between past and present?

5. Why might Chamberlain have chosen to make Morgan Anna’s great-granddaughter?

6. What purpose do symbolic elements like the iris serve in connecting the novel’s themes and characters?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were restoring Anna’s mural, which disturbing elements would you preserve, and which might you modify? What would guide your decision-making process?

2. What elements would you include in a mural depicting your own community’s essence and history?

3. If you could interview any character from the novel, who would you choose, and what questions would you ask them?

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