Half His Age

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Discuss your favorite and least favorite aspects of Half His Age. Which parts of Waldo’s story were most resonant for you, and why?

2. Half His Age is McCurdy’s debut work of fiction. How did your experience reading her novel compare with your experience reading her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died? What overlaps did you notice between her fiction and nonfiction writing?

3. How does Half His Age compare to other coming-of-age narratives you may have read? Was there anything about Waldo’s coming-of-age experience that especially moved or surprised you?

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

1. Which aspects of Waldo and Mr. Teddy Korgy’s relationship were most or least believable to you, and why? How does this relationship compare and contrast with your own romantic entanglements?

2. Waldo often tries to numb her emotions through other means, such as eating junk food, shopping, or pursuing meaningless relationships. Have you ever realized you had a habit that wasn’t good for you? How did you break it?

3. Waldo is raised by a single mother who is rarely present. How does her upbringing compare and contrast with your own family culture growing up?

4. Waldo knows Nolan is a decent guy but can’t stop comparing him to Korgy. Have you ever had a breakup that has threatened to define your subsequent relationships? How did you work through this internal conflict, and how did your processing compare to Waldo’s?

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

1. The novel explores The Inherent Harm in Adult-Child Relationships. Explore how McCurdy’s examination of child sexual abuse and grooming relates to McCurdy’s personal experience as a child star in Hollywood. Consider overlaps between Waldo’s experience in Half His Age and her own experiences detailed in I’m Glad My Mom Died.

2. The novel is saturated with pop culture references and product placements. Discuss the commentary McCurdy is making on consumerism, fast fashion, and the wider societal implications of these elements. How does the novel reflect or contribute to discourses around contemporary consumer culture?

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

1. The novel is written from Waldo’s first-person point of view. What is the tonal, narrative, and thematic effect of her narration? How would her story differ if written from the third-person limited point of view?

2. Compare and contrast Korgy and Nolan’s characters. What do their differences reveal about each of them, and about Waldo?

3. Explore the significance of the Anchorage, Alaska setting. How is it described? How does this setting impact the novel’s mood or Waldo’s personal circumstances?

4. Identify three symbols not explored in the guide and discuss their relevance to Waldo’s narrative. For example, what do creative writing, The Bin, or Korgy’s purple sweater represent, and how do they relate to the novel’s explorations of loneliness, intimacy, or desire?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine that you are adapting Half His Age into a feature film. Who would you cast in the leading roles? Which artists would you include in your soundtrack? Which plot points would you add, omit, or alter to make the adaptation your own?

2. At the end of the novel, Waldo is content driving alone to Seward with no future plans. How do you imagine her life will evolve within the next five years? How do you imagine time might alter her circumstances and character?