Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Consider your overall emotional reaction to Nobody’s Girl. Which were the most affecting parts of the memoir, and why?

2. Have you read other works about Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse? If so, how does Nobody’s Girl compare to titles like Sarah Ransome’s Silenced No More or Bradley J. Edwards’s Relentless Pursuit? Alternatively, how does Giuffre’s memoir compare (in style, message, etc.) to others that deal with similar subject matter, such as Chanel Miller’s Know My Name: A Memoir?

3. Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

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

1. Virginia Giuffre frames her move to Thailand (and then to Australia) as helping her break free from the past. When has physically relocating marked a new chapter in your own life?

2. Giuffre chronicles her ongoing attempts to confront and heal from her trauma. Do you find that speaking about difficult experiences generally helps you to process them? Why or why not?

3. Giuffre discusses several voluntary romantic and sexual relationships. How do her adolescent efforts to find love compare with your own early love life? 

4. Giuffre finds comfort and inspiration in horses. Have you ever experienced a similar bond with an animal? Why do you think so many people connect this way with animals?

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

1. Nobody’s Girl is a survivor’s memoir that details Giuffre’s sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence. Consider the text as a work of social activism. What specific changes (social, legal, etc.) does it advocate for, either implicitly or explicitly? 

2. Giuffre’s memoir focuses heavily on the role that money and influence played in enabling Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s alleged crimes. How does this portrayal reflect broader cultural conversations around wealth and corruption?

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

1. Giuffre includes graphic imagery of sexual violence and abuse throughout the memoir. What effect did these details have on your reading experience, and what purpose do you think they are meant to serve?

2. How did Giuffre’s use of devices like authorial intrusion, flashback, anecdote, and direct address impact you as a reader? How might these devices further her overarching goals?

3. Explore how the memoir’s structure relates to its subject matter. How do the memoir’s part and chapter divisions reflect Giuffre’s personal healing process? 

4. Explore the purpose and efficacy of the Collaborator’s Note and Introduction. Would the memoir resonate differently without these prefacing sections? How do they function, both together and alone?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine that you are adapting Giuffre’s memoir into a documentary. Which figures would you interview? How would you structure Giuffre’s story? How would your piece differ from other feature presentations on Epstein and Maxwell?

2. Create a playlist that captures the mood of Nobody’s Girl. Consider which songs might represent different phases of Giuffre’s life, including her evolving circumstances, lifestyle, and relationships. What is the rationale for each song you’ve chosen?

3. Write a eulogy for Giuffre, incorporating what you now know of her character after reading her memoir. How does your portrayal compare to media depictions of Giuffre and her story?