51 pages • 1-hour read
Shred Sisters
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Consider the Shred sisters. How do their differences and similarities impact the book? Could you relate to either or both of them?
2. This is the author’s first novel, though she has written a memoir, The Bridge Ladies, on relationships between different generations of women, and a nonfiction work, The Forest for the Trees, on writing and publishing. How might her experience in writing these works inform this novel?
3. What other novels does Shred Sisters remind you of, particularly in its treatment of family relationships? You might, for instance, compare it to Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful or Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections.
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. How did you respond to the mother-daughter relationships in this book?
2. Discuss the sibling rivalry between Ollie and Amy. Does this competition seem familiar and/or realistic?
3. Can you relate to the Shred family’s difficulty in dealing with Ollie’s mental illness? How (if at all) would you have approached the situation differently?
4. How do you feel about the sisters’ final reconciliation? Do you think it is possible to reconcile after so much has happened?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. How does the book reflect the values and expectations (especially with regard to gender) at the end of the 20th century? Do the expectations placed on Ollie and Amy still resonate? Why or why not?
2. Consider the novel’s depiction of mental illness—particularly the attitudes surrounding it. How has society’s approach to mental illness changed since the era in which the book is set? How has it remained the same?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. Although Amy is the narrator of the story, the book’s central character is arguably Ollie. How does this impact the story? Is Amy a reliable narrator of her family’s experience? How can you tell?
2. How does Ollie’s mental illness impact the family unit? What role(s) does acceptance play in the reconnection between family members?
3. What elements of the book indicate that the story fits the arc of a coming-of-age narrative?
4. How do socioeconomic status (class) and gender influence the expectations placed on both Ollie and Amy? Are the expectations the same for each sister?
5. Amy studies the “freeze” response rather than the more commonly talked about “fight or flight” response. Why is she drawn to this work? What does it say about her own experiences?
6. Consider the book’s many references to popular culture (television shows and movies, art exhibitions, and historical events). How do these help to explain the character’s motivations or actions? What other narrative function(s) do they serve?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. Imagine a sequel to this book: What might Ollie be doing professionally? Where might Amy’s story lead, especially in light of meeting Ravi?
2. Create a playlist, based on textual details (for example, Ollie adores the punk-rock music at CBGBs), that reflects the various moods of the sisters. Afterward, discuss the rationale for your choices.
3. If you were able to meet one of the characters in the book, whom would it be, and what would you do?
Unlock all 51 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs