Someone You Can Build a Nest In

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What drew you to Shesheshen as a protagonist? How does experiencing the story through the eyes of a so-called “monster” challenge traditional fantasy conventions?

2. How does this novel compare to other works that humanize monstrous characters, like John Gardner’s Grendel? Did Wiswell’s approach to monster romance feel emotionally convincing or overly fantastical?

3. Does the novel strike a successful balance between horror and romance? How did you react to the more visceral aspects of Shesheshen’s nature alongside her growing love for Homily?

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

1. Shesheshen’s often “masks” aspects of herself to navigate a hostile world. When have you felt the need to hide fundamental aspects of yourself to gain acceptance or avoid judgment?

2. Homily’s pattern of people-pleasing stems from years of familial abuse. Have you observed similar dynamics where kindness becomes a survival mechanism rather than a genuine choice?

3. How did you react to the revelation that the Wulfyre family “curse” was fabricated? Have you encountered situations where collective myths or traumas were used to maintain control within families or communities?

4. What does the novel say about the differences between biological and chosen families? Compare this novel’s portrayal of found family with that of other novels such as Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes and Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove. 

5. Which moments of vulnerability between Shesheshen and Homily felt most authentic to you? How does the novel explore the risks and rewards of genuine intimacy?

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

1. The town of Underlook profits from fear of the “monster” while simultaneously ostracizing her. What real-world parallels do you see in how societies scapegoat and exploit the very groups they marginalize?

2. The Baroness Wulfyre maintains power through deceiving people and projecting her own monstrosity onto others. How does she reflect figures in contemporary society who weaponize fear while masking their own predatory behavior? 

3. In what ways does Wiswell use fantasy elements to explore neurodivergent and queer experiences? How can speculative fiction address discrimination and identity in ways that realistic fiction cannot?

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

1. How does the symbol of “nests” evolve throughout the novel? What does this reveal about love, safety, and the process of building a chosen family?

2. What role does consumption play as a motif in the novel? How does Wiswell use acts of eating and feeding to complicate the boundaries between violence and care?

3. Readers know Shesheshen’s true identity long before Homily does. How does this dramatic irony create tension?

4. How does the revelation about the Baroness’s true nature recontextualize the entire conflict? What does this twist suggest about where real monstrosity lies?

5. Why is Homily’s decision to kill Epigram significant for her character development? 

6. How does Wiswell use physical transformation to represent emotional states? What effect does this literal embodiment of internal experiences create for readers?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you had Shesheshen’s shapeshifting abilities, what forms might you take to navigate different environments? 

2. If you were adapting this novel for a visual medium, what creative choices would you make to portray Shesheshen’s transformations and the more visceral elements of her nature?

3. Imagine a continuation of Shesheshen, Homily, and Epilogue’s story. What new challenges or joys might their unconventional family experience as they build their life together?