Romantic Comedy

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What aspects of Romantic Comedy did you find most engaging, and which plot turns genuinely surprised you?

2. Sittenfeld has reimagined classic narratives in previous works like Eligible, which is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. How does Romantic Comedy play with or transform the expectations of its own genre?

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

1. What do you think of the “Danny Horst Rule” that Sally coins early in the novel (13)? Have you noticed double standards similar to this rule playing out in relationships or popular culture?

2. Sally turns to email to share feelings with Noah that she can’t express in person. Discuss a time when writing helped you communicate more openly than speaking face-to-face. Why do you think it worked?

3. Which of Sally’s insecurities felt most familiar to you, and in what ways did they mirror your own experiences?

4. Sally struggles with balancing her established career at TNO with her desire to pursue screenwriting. Have you faced a similar crossroads between stability and pursuing a dream?

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

1. How does the novel reveal the challenges women face in male-dominated creative industries?

2. The COVID-19 pandemic both helps and hinders Sally and Noah’s relationship. How does this backdrop enhance the themes of isolation and connection in the story?

3. What stand does the the novel take on the culture of constant online commentary, especially with regard to relationships involving public figures?

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

1. Which classic rom-com tropes does Sittenfeld retain in the novel, and which does she subvert? How do these choices affect your reading experience?

2. What does Sally’s evolving relationship with the “Danny Horst Rule” reveal about her character journey and personal growth (13)?

3. Writing is a central motif in the novel. What symbolic role does writing play in the characters’ journeys toward vulnerability?

4. Chapter 2 shifts from Sally’s first-person perspective to her email exchange with Noah. Why do you think Sittenfeld chose that shift, and what does it add to the story?

5. The time-stamped structure of Chapter 1 mirrors the hectic schedule of TNO production. How does this structural choice enhance our understanding of Sally’s professional world?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If Romantic Comedy were made into a movie, who would you cast as Sally and Noah? What makes these actors perfect choices for these roles? 

2. Sally dreams of writing “non-condescending, ragingly feminist screenplays for romantic comedies” (45). If you were writing a screenplay for your own subversive romantic comedy, what traditional conventions would you discard? Which would you keep?

3. Imagine that you are Jerry reading Noah’s song about Sally. What will you be looking for to feel reassured about Sally’s happiness? Name any three existing songs that might fulfill these criteria.

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources