Our Last Resort

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your first impressions of the book’s depiction of cult life? Did it remind you of any real or fictional depictions of cults you’ve encountered before?

2. Which character did you find most compelling, and why?

3. If you’ve read Michallon’s first novel, The Quiet Tenant, what similarities do you notice in terms of characterization, suspense, and theme?

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

1. The cult rejects the traditional family unit, raising children communally. If you were brought up in this way, what kind of impact might it have on your sense of identity?

2. Frida and Gabriel see each other as siblings even though they are not biologically related. How does their bond compare to sibling or sibling-like relationships in your own life?

3. Frida’s decision to kill Annie is central to her character. Do you find her actions understandable or sympathetic? What aspects of her past help explain her choice?

4. How would you describe the “society” Émile built? How does it resemble or differ from broader society, and what impact do those differences have on its members?

5. The cult uses harsh punishment on the children, often carried out by the mothers. What did you make of this? Why do you think the mothers were willing to discipline the children so harshly, given that any one of the children could be their own?

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

1. What real-life cults or movements did this book remind you of? How do their methods of control compare to those depicted in this book?

2. The book suggests that childhood trauma has long-lasting effects. How does Frida and Gabriel’s story reflect what you know—or what experts say—about the impact of growing up in an abusive environment?

3. Émile’s lectures and William’s tabloid highlight the power of controlling a narrative. What parallels do you see between the cult’s internal propaganda and how media shapes public opinion?

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

1. Frida is an unreliable narrator. How does her perspective shape your reading of events?

2. Discuss Émile’s characterization. Did he feel fully developed, or more like an archetype?

3. What symbols stood out to you in the novel? How do they deepen its meaning?

4. What role does the novel’s desert setting play in enhancing its themes?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast as Émile, Frida, and Gabriel? Explain your choices.

2. Imagine a prequel to this novel that focuses on Émile. What kind of forces shaped him? What did his early life look like?

3. Write the opening of this novel from Gabriel’s perspective. How does it feel different?