Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Black Water plunges the reader directly into its central trauma using a fragmented, nonlinear structure. How did this narrative choice affect your reading experience? Did you find that it made Kelly’s story more immersive and psychologically intense, or was it challenging to follow?

2. How does this novella’s fictionalization of the Chappaquiddick incident compare to Joyce Carol Oates’s other works that reimagine historical events, such as Blonde or “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”? What do these retellings suggest about the relationship between public scandals and private tragedies?

3. The phrase “the black water filled her lungs, and she died” appears repeatedly throughout the text (103, 120, 154), often interrupting a memory or a moment of hope. What was your emotional reaction to the novella’s conclusion and this recurring line?

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

1. A horoscope from Glamour magazine that urges boldness and romance is a recurring motif in Kelly’s thoughts. In what ways do pop-culture narratives shape your expectations for love and adventure, and how do they influence the risks you’re willing to take?

2. Kelly is initially very skeptical of The Senator, thinking that he’s “forever campaigning,” but her opinion reverses completely over the course of the party. Have you ever had a first impression of someone change so dramatically? What factors influenced that shift in your perception?

3. Kelly’s mother advises her that men can’t tolerate being made to look foolish, a warning that contributes to Kelly’s silence in the car. What messages, subtle or direct, did you receive growing up about when it’s appropriate to challenge authority or speak up?

4. The novella explores the complexities of family and politics through Kelly’s strained relationship with her Republican father. Have you ever faced a deep ideological disagreement with a family member? How did you maintain love and connection, or why did you choose not to?

5. Throughout her ordeal, Kelly mentally rehearses the story she will one day tell about her encounter with The Senator. Have you ever tried to shape events in your life, as they’re happening, into a narrative you can control?

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

1. Oates sets her retelling of a 1969 incident in 1989, in the wake of the Reagan years and the 1988 Dukakis defeat. How does this updated setting bring the text into more contemporary conversation about politics and ethics?

2. The Senator is a powerful public figure who uses his status to evade immediate accountability for his actions. In what ways does this story resonate with contemporary discussions about power, privilege, and the justice system, particularly concerning powerful men?

3. Kelly’s identity is shaped by a collage of influences, from academic theory to women’s magazines. What does the novel suggest about how a young woman’s sense of self was constructed in that era, before the internet and social media?

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

1. What is the significance of Kelly’s childhood strabismus, or misaligned vision? How does this physical condition function in her character development on both literal and metaphorical levels?

2. The Senator is a central figure in the novel, yet he’s never given a name. How did Oates’s decision not to name him affect your interpretation of his character and the book’s broader critique of power?

3. How does the narrative enact Kelly’s psychological and physical experience through language and structure?

4. The Senator’s canvas shoe is a small object that becomes a powerful symbol. Discuss how this shoe accumulates meaning over the course of the narrative.

5. What purpose does Buffy’s character serve in the narrative, and what does her perspective highlight about Kelly’s own character and vulnerabilities?

6. Oates’s use of stream of consciousness is rooted in literary Modernism. How does her technique for depicting Kelly’s inner world compare to other works you’ve read that use a similar style, such as Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The novel briefly shows The Senator’s perspective after he escapes and calls Ray. Sketch out a full chapter written from his point of view during his two-mile walk to the phone booth, developing his character, his rationalizations, and his fear.

2. Kelly works for a liberal magazine called Citizens’ Inquiry. What headline might this magazine run about the incident on its next cover, and what angle would the main article take if its reporters uncovered the full truth?

3. Buffy’s final words to Kelly are a heartfelt plea to call her the next day. What might that phone conversation have sounded like if Kelly had survived the accident?