Gothikana

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Are you more of a gothic literature reader or more of a romance reader? How did you feel about the “loose ends” of the novel, given your answer?

2. The novel takes place in the modern day—did you find that it felt modern to you? If not, why not? If so, how come? Consider how the novel plays with aesthetics to structure your answer.

3. How does Gothikana compare to other modern gothic novels, like T. Kingfisher’s What Moves the Dead? How does it compare to 19th- century gothic novels like The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne?

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

1. Have you ever experienced something that seems (even potentially) supernatural? What happened? How did your experience compare to Corvina’s?

2. Corvina gives in to her sexual attraction to Vad even when she still feels unable to fully trust him emotionally. Have you ever felt able to trust someone with physical intimacy before emotional intimacy? How are these two ideas similar or related for you?

3. Corvina and Vad, as professor and student, are technically forbidden from dating. Have you ever dated someone when the relationship was taboo or against the rules—like a coworker or friend’s former partner? Was it worth it? Why or why not?

4. Corvina soon learns that people are not always what they first seem to be. Have you ever met someone whose looks or outward behavior contradicted or disguised their true motives? How did this affect your understanding of the difference between appearance and reality?

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

1. How does the novel present a fair or unfair representation of stigmas around mental illness?

2. Verenmore is an uncommonly mysterious university—but many colleges and universities have their own lores and legends. How does the novel play upon the aesthetics of dark academia?

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

1. What did the alternate point-of-view sections add to the novel? How did this alternate structure affect the plot, characterization, and/or exploration of key themes and ideas?

2. How does Verenmore as a setting affect the plot? How do the secondary settings—like the town where Corvina grew up—affect the plot or characters?

3. Discuss the symbolism of mountains within the text. How are they described? What is their wider significance?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What do you think will happen once Corvina and Vad return to Verenmore? Use details, particularly from the unsolved mysteries in the text, to orient your answer.

2. Imagine Mo. What would he be like if he was a real person?

3. Corvina and Vad plan to have children that they raise at Verenmore. How do you think they would explain the story of how they met to their kids?