Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to the novel’s blend of psychological thriller, body horror, and social satire? Did you find one aspect more compelling than the others, and how did they work together to shape your overall experience of the story?

2. The author has cited Stephen King’s Thinner as a major influence. If you’ve read it, how did you feel Dumas’s novel updated the body-horror premise for a contemporary audience fixated on pharmaceutical solutions and social media? If you haven’t, how does this story compare to other horror or thriller novels you’ve read?

3. The novel’s ending is both shocking and bleak, with Monstera BioSciences and Hank Stauder/Dr. Smith facing no real consequences. Did you find this conclusion satisfying or frustrating? What do you think this ending says about the story’s ultimate message?

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

1. Emmett’s professional and romantic life dramatically improves only after he loses weight, illustrating the concept of “social currency.” Where in our own society have you seen examples of people being treated differently based on their physical appearance?

2. What does Lizette’s steadfast friendship suggest about loyalty and support? Think about a time when you’ve wanted to support a friend while disagreeing with their choices. What are the challenges of navigating that kind of situation?

3. The phrase “the true me” is central to Emmett’s journey, though its meaning changes dramatically. Have you ever felt that there’s a gap between who you are internally and how the world perceives you? How does Emmett’s search for his true self resonate with broader ideas of self-discovery?

4. Emmett’s followers first build him up and then tear him down, showing how conditional online validation can be. How do you see this dynamic play out on social-media platforms today?

5. Dr. Saito’s motivation is a desire for revenge against a society that marginalized her. How do you personally navigate the line between seeking justice and enacting vengeance? Do you ever see one as a healthy substitute for the other?

6. Emmett’s family members have all contributed to his trauma in different ways, from his mother’s well-meaning but harmful “food is love” philosophy to his brother’s casual cruelty (94). Discuss how your family or home environment has influenced your sense of self-worth. How does it help you to understand Emmett’s complex relationship with food?

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

1. The story mirrors the recent surge in popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. How did the novel’s fictional portrayal of Obexity influence your perspective on the real-world debate surrounding these medications, medical ethics, and body positivity?

2. How does the novel use the real Minnesota Starvation Experiment to explore the manipulation of science? Dr. Smith cites the study to justify his drug, showing how data can be twisted to support a predatory agenda. Where else have you seen scientific findings used to promote a commercial or ideological goal?

3. What message do you think the ending sends about corporate power and accountability? With Dr. Smith appointed to a director position at the FDA, the very system meant to protect the public ends up corrupted. Does this feel like a cynical but realistic commentary on our world?

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

1. Dumas uses a fragmented narrative that includes blog posts, interview transcripts, and news articles, which carries on the classic use of the epistolary form in horror novels that range from Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Max Brooks’ Devolution. How did this structure affect your reading experience and your trust in Emmett as a narrator? Did it make the story more immersive or more unsettling?

2. What is the significance of the painting Portrait of a Man-eater in the novel? How does it function as both a piece of foreshadowing and a key that helps unlock the conspiracy behind Obexity?

3. How does the novel explore the motif of monstrosity? Do you see Emmett’s transformation as a side effect of the drug, a product of societal cruelty, or the unleashing of something that was always inside him?

4. Lizette and Dr. Saito represent two very different responses to the trauma of body shaming. One chooses self-acceptance and creation, while the other chooses manipulation and revenge. How do these characters act as foils to each other and to Emmett?

5. In what ways does hunger evolve as a motif throughout the story? Think about how it shifts from a physical craving for food, to a psychological hunger for acceptance, and finally to a literal hunger for revenge.

6. What did you think of Emmett’s final declaration, “This is the true me!” (321), as he charges at Hank? How does this moment redefine a phrase he once used to describe his ideal thin self, and what does it ultimately say about his identity?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’re on the FDA panel reviewing Obexity after Emmett’s death. Armed with the knowledge from the novel, what three critical questions would you ask Dr. Smith before making your final decision on the drug’s approval?

2. If you were to write a short story from the perspective of another character after the novel’s conclusion, who would you choose? What might Lizette’s life look like as she grapples with grief and the truth, or what would a day in the life of the newly powerful Dr. Saito be like?

3. The novel ends with Obexity’s full approval. If you were tasked with creating a counter-campaign to warn the public about its dangers, what would be your main message or slogan? What images or stories would you use to fight back against Monstera’s powerful marketing?