Mary Jane

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism and substance use.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What aspects of Mary Jane’s summer experience with the Cones most powerfully captured your attention or produced an emotional response? Why?

2. The novel contrasts the orderly Dillard household with the chaotic but loving Cone household. Which environment resonated more with you and why?

3. How does Mary Jane compare to Jessica Anya Blau’s other coming-of-age novel The Summer of Naked Swim Parties, particularly in how these books explore teenage self-discovery against the backdrop of unconventional adults?

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

1. Mary Jane discovers her love for cooking and music in an environment where her talents are appreciated. When have you discovered a talent because someone recognized your potential?

2. Which character’s approach to emotional expression feels most familiar to you? Consider the spectrum—from Mr. Dillard’s silence to Jimmy’s tearful breakdowns.

3. Mary Jane lies to her mother about the Cones to navigate her two conflicting worlds. Have you ever found yourself caught between different value systems?

4. The novel portrays multiple parenting styles, from Mrs. Dillard’s controlling rigidity to Bonnie’s hands-off approach. Which aspects of these parenting methods resonate with your own experiences of parenting or with your childhood?

5. In what ways does the “found family” Mary Jane creates reflect your own experiences of forming meaningful connections outside your biological family? How does it differ?

6. Mary Jane is shocked when Izzy tells her she loves her because she’s never heard those words before. What does this reveal about the importance of verbal affirmation in relationships?

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

1. The novel is set in 1975, shortly after the Watergate scandal forced US President Richard Nixon to resign and during significant social change. What parallels exist between the cultural tensions of that era and today?

2. When visiting the country club, Mary Jane suddenly notices racial segregation she previously didn’t pay attention to. What social inequities do we still accept today that future generations might find shocking?

3. The characters hold different views on sexuality, drugs, and social norms. Which attitudes portrayed in the novel seem outdated today, and which ones remain relevant?

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

1. Throughout the novel, food and cooking serve as powerful symbols. What does Mary Jane’s evolving relationship with cooking represent in her journey?

2. Coming-of-age stories often feature the theme of choosing an identity. How do different characters either embrace or resist defining themselves on their own terms?

3. Music plays a central role in the story, from church hymns to rock songs. What purpose does singing serve for each of the main characters?

4. The novel ends with Mary Jane bringing together her mother and the Cones. What message does this resolution convey about bridging different worldviews?

5. Examine the significance of Jimmy’s song about Mary Jane becoming a number-one hit. What does this success represent for both Mary Jane and the other characters?

6. How does Blau use contrast between settings—the pristine Dillard home, the chaotic Cone house, the beach cottage, and the country club—to illuminate character development and themes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a playlist that captures the spirit of Mary Jane, what five songs from the 1970s would you include and why?

2. Imagine Mary Jane’s life five years after the novel ends. What career path might she pursue, and how would her relationships have evolved?

3. If the novel were adapted into a film in the style of coming-of-age classics like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which scenes would be most essential to include?

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