Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel blends several genres, including romantic comedy, art-heist thriller, and philosophical exploration. How did this mix of tones and plots work for you? Did you find one storyline more compelling than the others?

2. What did you make of the book’s title, Go Gentle? How does its meaning evolve for you from the beginning of the story to the end, especially in light of Adora’s journey with Stoicism and her relationship with Digby?

3. How does Maria Semple’s work in Go Gentle compare to her other novels, such as Where’d You Go, Bernadette? What signature elements of her writing style, like her witty and complex female protagonists, did you recognize and enjoy in this book?

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

1. Adora builds a “coven” with her friends Minna and Emily Ann to create a supportive, intentional aging community. What did you think of this practical approach to friendship? Does it resonate with how you think about building community in your own life?

2. How did you feel about Adora’s initial practice of Stoicism as a defense mechanism? Have you ever used a particular philosophy, hobby, or routine to create order and control during a chaotic time in your life?

3. The relationship between Adora and her teenage daughter, Viv, is full of tension and love, culminating in their argument at the Café de Flore. Have you experienced a generational clash in perspectives, and how did it shape your understanding of the challenges of communication between parents and children?

4. What is your take on Layla Lockwood’s intense devotion to her husband? Her love is described as a “radical action,” but it also involves deception and manipulation. When, if ever, do you think love justifies actions that might be considered ethically questionable?

5. Digby spends years making “living amends” for his past complicity in silencing women. Does his journey mirror anyone you’ve known before? If so, how did his story of changing and seeking forgiveness resonate with you?

6. A significant moment in Adora’s arc is when Viv begs to be allowed to enjoy contemporary or immature things without being mocked or condescended to. Who did you identify with more in this conflict? Have you ever felt pressured to exert your interests in a certain way to avoid criticism, and how did you respond?

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

1. How effectively does the novel use Adora’s backstory with the NDA to explore the prominent elements of the #MeToo movement? What does her story reveal about the institutional mechanisms that have been used to silence victims and protect abusers?

2. The novel critiques “apple washing,” where the Lockwood family’s philanthropy is used to obscure their fortune’s origins in weapons manufacturing. Where do you see similar examples of reputation laundering in the world today, whether by corporations, families, or individuals?

3. The story touches on the heated debate over art repatriation through the actions of the fictional terrorist group QUANDO, mirroring real-world conflicts like the dispute over the Parthenon Marbles. How did the novel’s portrayal of this issue influence your perspective on who should own cultural artifacts?

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

1. What is the significance of the Venus de Milo as the central symbol of the novel? How does its meaning shift for different characters, particularly for Lionel, Layla, and Adora herself, as the story unfolds?

2. The motif of apples appears in several key places, such as the Lockwood Red apple and the Boy With Apple statue. How does the novel use this recurring image to connect themes of deception, hidden knowledge, and public identity?

3. Semple uses humor and absurdity, like the burrito-in-a-briefcase bomb scare or Ravi getting trapped in the screaming room, to balance the novel’s heavier themes. How does this tonal balance relate to the novel’s broader exploration of sincerity, philosophy, and imperfection?

4. Adora’s journey is tracked through her evolving mantras, which include “VIRTUE = HAPPINESS,” “VIRTUE = FREEDOM,” and her tattoo “Amor fati,” or a love of fate. What purpose do these phrases serve in Adora’s life, and how does her interpretation of these phrases change throughout the story?

5. What purpose does the character of Blanche Falk serve in the narrative? How do her unconventional methods and her later reveal as an Interpol agent contribute to the plot and the novel’s overall tone?

6. The narrative relies heavily on misdirection and misinterpretation, from Adora’s mistaken belief about a C-4 bomb to the initial mystery surrounding Digby. How does this structural choice reinforce the novel’s ideas about truth, particularly considering the role of Plato’s allegory of the cave in the narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a modern-day “coven” like Adora’s, what would its core principles be? What practical arrangements would you make to support one another, and who from your own life would you invite to join?

2. Imagine you’re a museum curator tasked with writing the new description for the restored Venus de Milo, now complete with her arms and holding an apple. What story would you tell on the placard to capture her full, complicated history as revealed in the novel?

3. If you could give one piece of advice to Adora at the very beginning of the novel, before she meets Digby at the ballet, what would it be? How might your advice change her journey, if at all?