No Place Left to Hide

Analyze the difference in reaction between Mrs. and Mr. Goodwin upon learning about Brooke’s acceptance into Yale. What does this scene show about the relationship dynamics of the Goodwin family? How might this drive Brooke’s character arc in the story?

Discuss how Brooke views the concept of consequence. How is her perception of consequences shaped by her class background? How does this manifest in her actions, compared to other characters?

What does it mean that Brooke has no idea what she’d like to study at Yale? Does she demonstrate any hobbies or interests throughout the novel that might hint at individual interests? If not, what does this indicate about her character?

As Claire and Brooke clash at the lake house party, it becomes increasingly clear that Brooke’s perception of Claire is not entirely accurate. Claire succeeded at Waldorf activities because she wanted to, and she may have dated Dylan because they genuinely liked one another. What does this say about Brooke, and how does it change the perception of her as a character?

Jena eventually reveals that she secretly campaigned to expose Brooke for blaming the boating accident on her. To do so, she harasses Brooke daily and teams up with two boys, who also endanger and injure the girls while chasing them in a large, unwieldy vehicle. Is Jena morally justified in doing this? Why or why not?

Is Brooke’s decision to kill Claire believable for her character? Discuss how Brooke conforms to or deviates from YA protagonists in other thriller or dark academia novels.

How does the gender operate in the novel? Do male and female characters face different pressures and consequences? If so, why? Use examples from the text to support your response.

By the end of the novel, is Brooke is victim or a villain? Can she be both? What is the thematic purpose of developing a morally gray main character?