Nothing to See Here

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

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Kevin Wilson incorporates children who magically catch fire into what is otherwise a realistic story about family, class, and politics. How effective did you find this fantastical element, and what did it add to the novel that a more conventional approach might have missed?

2. The novel’s title appears ironic, given that the central characters are literally on fire. What layers of meaning do you find in this title, and how does it relate to the themes of visibility, secrecy, and what society chooses to ignore?

3. Wilson explores unusual family dynamics in Nothing to See Here much as he did in his earlier novel The Family Fang, where children participate in their parents’ bizarre performance art. How do these works compare in their portrayal of children coping with extraordinary circumstances? For those unfamiliar with Wilson’s other work, which other novels featuring unconventional families, such as J.D. Salinger’s Franny and Zooey or Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle, would you compare this to?

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

1. Lillian finds herself unexpectedly responsible for Bessie and Roland despite never having wanted children. When have you been thrust into a caretaking role you didn’t anticipate? How did that experience change your understanding of yourself?

2. Throughout the novel, Lillian and the twins bond over being “weirdos” who don’t fit into conventional society. When have you found connection with others based on shared outsider status, and how did that relationship help you embrace your own differences?

3. Lillian develops creative solutions to help Bessie and Roland manage their emotional fires, from breathing exercises to flame-retardant gel. What strategies have you developed to handle your own strong emotions when they threaten to overwhelm you?

4. Madison’s betrayal of Lillian at Iron Mountain creates a wound that persists throughout their friendship. How have you navigated relationships where trust was broken? What determined whether these relationships could be rebuilt?

5. By the end of the novel, Lillian discovers her capacity for love and caregiving despite her own difficult upbringing. When have you discovered strengths or abilities in yourself that your past experiences hadn’t prepared you for?

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

1. Wilson uses the twins’ condition as a metaphor for difference in American society. What marginalized groups might the “fire children” represent, and how does the novel critique the ways society responds to those who are markedly different?

2. The novel explores how wealth and political connections allow the Roberts family to cover up potentially damaging information. Where do you see similar dynamics of privilege and cover-ups in contemporary public life?

3. Madison’s slip in calling the guesthouse “slave quarters” connects the Roberts’s current privilege to America’s history of enslavement. How does the novel engage with historical injustices that continue to shape American society, particularly in the South?

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

1. How does Wilson use fire as both a plot device and a metaphor throughout the novel? What different meanings does fire take on as the children learn to control their abilities?

2. How does Lillian grow and change as a person? How does her relationship with the twins transform her understanding of herself, her relationship with Madison, and her capacity for connection?

3. The novel’s settings—the pristine white Roberts mansion and the colorful guesthouse—are strongly contrasted. How do these two settings embody the broader themes of appearances versus reality in the novel?

4. Wilson frequently employs animal and nonhuman imagery to describe the twins. How does this language evolve as the story progresses, and what does this evolution reveal about the characters’ changing perceptions?

5. The novel concludes with Lillian accepting guardianship of the twins and heading to a basketball court. What makes this ending satisfying or unsatisfying? What questions remain unresolved?

6. How does Wilson deploy humor throughout the novel, and what purpose does this comedy serve in a story that deals with serious themes like neglect, political hypocrisy, and personal identity?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The children’s fire abilities manifest their emotional states physically. What unique physical manifestation would reveal your emotional state to others, and how would you adapt to life with this condition?

2. Write a scene from Madison’s perspective when she first discovers Timothy has the same condition as the twins. What thoughts, fears, and realizations might run through her mind?

3. The novel offers pointed commentary on political hypocrisy through Jasper’s character. Design a campaign slogan and brief platform for Jasper that captures both his public persona and the private realities the novel reveals.

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