Big Little Truths

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. If you have read Big Little Lies or seen the TV show, what were your expectations for the sequel? Did Big Little Truths meet those expectations?

2. Which of the five main female characters was your favorite? Did you have a favorite teenage character?

3. To what extent can the novel be considered a thriller? What genre would you say it belongs to?

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

1. The novel explores how relationships between parents and children evolve as children grow older. Did you feel closer to your parents when you were a teenager, or did you seek to distance yourself from them? What did you wish your parents understood about your experiences as a teen?

2. Renata reinvents herself after major life changes, embracing a rebellious new side with a motorcycle and a tattoo. Have you ever felt the desire to make a bold change to claim a new identity or break free from others’ expectations?

3. Jane fears that her marriage will collapse due to her unwillingness to have another child. Have you ever taken a firm stance even though you worried what the consequences might be?

4. Jane and the other women are forced to grapple with the reality that they have been duped by Melody. Have you ever been forced to reassess your initial opinion of someone? What prompted you to do so?

5. Marco is misunderstood and treated with suspicion, even though it turns out that he is acting with good intentions. Can you think of a time where you were part of a community or group that unfairly misjudged someone? What stance did you take?

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

1. The novel depicts the many stressors faced by women in mid-life, who often juggle caring for elderly parents while still raising their own children and pursuing careers. Why do you think women are often assumed to be caregivers? What supports or societal measures can better support individuals juggling responsibilities to multiple generations?

2. Ed and Mary-Louise both suffer serious side effects from prescribed medication. What comment is the novel making about the medical system and the need for oversight?

3. At the end of the novel, Chloe admits to a sexual relationship with Seth. She is conflicted because she believes that she consented to this relationship. How does Madeline attempt to help her daughter understand that she was manipulated? How does the novel depict the role of age and power imbalance in relationship to consent?

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

1. How does Detective Quinlan function as a dispassionate observer? What patterns does he notice within the intricate social structures of the town and the school?

2. The narrative alternates between the mothers’ immediate experiences and the teenagers’ transcribed counselling session, in which they discuss past events. How did this structure affect your reading experience and build suspense?

3. Discuss the role of humor in the novel. Identify one or two passages that you found funny and discuss how Moriarty deploys humor to deepen social critique. 

4. Seth is described as strikingly handsome. How does this physical attractiveness impact his characterization and distract from his true nature?

5. How does Moriarty’s exploration of secrets within the affluent community of Pirriwee compare to similar themes in other novels, such as Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere? What feels unique about Moriarty’s blend of dark subject matter with satire and social critique?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to write an epilogue set five years after the book ends, what would one of the main characters be doing? For example, what do you picture for Jane after her travels, or for Bonnie and Skye after they’ve been in therapy?

2. Clara Long sends the severed finger to the high school as an act of defiance to force people to pay attention to Melody’s crimes. If you could draw attention to any current social challenge or problem, what would it be, and how would you do it?

3. Renata gets a tattoo after her mother’s death. Imagine that one or two of her friends also decide to get tattoos after the end of the plot, to symbolize their resilience and what they have overcome. Design tattoos for one or two of the other protagonists (Jane, Celeste, Madeline, or Bonnie). What image would they get, and why?