Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel opens with a fictional New York Times review calling the sitcom Meet the Newmans “square and outdated.” How did this set the stage for you as a reader? Did you find yourself rooting for the family to save their show, or did you agree with the critic that it was time for them to move on?

2. What was your reaction to the novel’s deep dive into the world of late 20th century television? Did it change how you think about the classic family sitcoms of that era? How does this story compare to other portrayals of that period you’ve seen or read, such as the TV show Mad Men or novels like Playworld (2025) by Adam Ross?

3. Let’s talk about the live finale. What part of that final broadcast scene was most powerful or surprising for you? Did you find the ending, both for the TV show and for the family in the Epilogue, to be a satisfying conclusion?

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

1. The Newman family constantly struggles with the gap between their public image and their private lives. Have you ever felt pressure to present a certain version of yourself to the world, whether online or in person? How did that experience compare to what the characters went through?

2. Reading The Feminine Mystique (1963) is a major turning point for Dinah, giving her the language to understand her own unhappiness. Has a book, movie, or piece of art ever had a similar clarifying effect on you, helping you see your own life in a new way?

3. Guy feels overshadowed by his father and brother, struggling to pursue his own dream of directing. Can you relate to the experience of trying to find your own path when it differs from your family’s expectations? What did you think of the way he finally stood up to Del?

4. Shep feels like a “ventriloquist’s dummy,” forced to create commercial pop music instead of the art he’s passionate about. Think about a time you had to balance your creative or personal passions with more practical demands. How did you navigate that conflict?

5. Have you ever encountered barriers in a professional or academic setting similar to the sexism Juliet faces in the newsroom? How did you address, navigate, or resolve these barriers?

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

1. The story is set on the cusp of the women’s liberation movement. In what ways does Dinah’s personal journey from a passive housewife to an assertive creator reflect the larger societal shifts happening at the time? Where do you see the echoes of her struggles and triumphs in discussions about womanhood today?

2. What does the novel reveal about the cultural climate for gay men in 1960s Hollywood through Guy and Kelly’s secret relationship? How has the relationship between celebrity, public image, and private life changed for LGBTQ+ individuals since then?

3. What commentary do you think the author is making about the entertainment industry through ruthless executives like James T. Aubrey? Do you see parallels between his commercial-driven mindset and the state of television or streaming today?

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

1. How does the author use the television show, Meet the Newmans, as the novel’s central symbol? In what ways does it represent both a source of fame and a gilded cage for the family members?

2. Dinah’s spreading physical numbness is a recurring motif. How does this symptom trace her psychological journey from suppressed unhappiness to self-liberation? What did you make of the moment it finally receded?

3. Del Newman begins as the family’s controlling patriarch but undergoes a significant transformation after his accident. Do you see him as a villain, a victim of his own past, or something more complex? What specific moment do you think was the true turning point for his character?

4. What is Juliet Dunne’s role in the story, and how does she function as a catalyst for Dinah’s awakening? How does the dynamic between the two women evolve from their first confrontational interview to their final creative partnership?

5. The novel intersperses chapters with fictional magazine articles, gossip columns, and reviews. What effect did this structure have on your reading experience? How did these documents amplify the theme of public image versus private reality?

6. Like Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (2017), this novel uses a reporter character to uncover the hidden truths behind a famous woman’s public persona. How does Juliet’s role as an instigator and collaborator compare to Monique Grant’s role as a listener and biographer in Evelyn Hugo? What do both novels suggest about who gets to control a woman’s story?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Dinah and Juliet’s “revolutionary” script for the finale becomes the centerpiece of the novel’s climax. If you were in their writers’ room, what’s one scene or line of dialogue you would have suggested adding to underscore their feminist message?

2. Imagine you’re casting a modern film adaptation of Meet the Newmans. Who would you choose to play Dinah, Del, Guy, and Shep? What qualities would make those actors a perfect fit for these complex roles?

3. The Epilogue gives us a glimpse into the family’s future, but it leaves many stories untold. If you could create a spin-off series focusing on one of the characters five years after the book ends, whose story would you tell and what would it be about?