Spectacular Things

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How would you describe your overall reading experience? What aspects of the book made the strongest impression on you?

2. Who did you feel was the most compelling character? Which character did you relate to the most?

3. Spectacular Things has been compared to other works of contemporary sports literature like Chad Harbach’s The Art of Fielding and Richard Ford’s The Sportswriter for its authentic depiction of sports culture. What was your reaction to the novel’s portrayal of soccer?

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

1. Have you ever been asked to make a huge sacrifice for someone else? How did your situation differ or compare to those faced by Mia and Cricket?

2. Explore connections between the book’s thematic look at What the Pursuit of Greatness Requires and the strategies you’ve found most helpful in reaching goals, overcoming adversity, or coping with loss in your life.

3. Paradoxically, the novel advocates both for tenaciously pursuing dreams and for allowing dreams and goals to change with changing circumstances. Have you experienced either of these scenarios? What factors were important in deciding whether or not to continue pursuing the original goal?

4. How does your experience with grief compare to Mia and Cricket’s?

5. Many novelists who write about conflicts within families, like Celeste Ng—Our Missing Hearts, Little Fires Everywhere—and Jess Walter—So Far Gone, The Cold Millions—emphasize the intergenerational effects of individual choices. Where else in society, besides within family units, have you observed this ripple effect be observed, and how has it affected you, either directly or indirectly?

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

1. How effectively does the novel portray problems in women’s sports organizations, like gender discrimination and sexual abuse?

2. In what ways does the text reinforce or subvert social and cultural norms?

3. Mia’s struggle with kidney disease and dialysis subtly probes ideas about social pressures surrounding women’s health. How does this tie in with the book’s exploration of the demands placed on athletes, and how does it contribute to discussions about women’s agency over their bodies?

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

1. Mia and Cricket often see and interact with Liz after her death. How are these visions described? How do they influence the story’s themes?

2. Coach Oliver eventually abandons MAP—mentality, adaptability, patience—as a motivational framework in favor of asking the questions: “Are you making the most of this moment? […] What did you have to give up to get here? […] How do you want to leave the field after the game?” (267). Discuss what this reveals about his character and how it complicates or clarifies the book’s themes.

3. Discuss how the meaning of “the gift” changes over the course of the story.

4. Explore what the book’s structure reveals about the ideas of opportunity, monomyth, and legacy.

5. All of the main characters make difficult choices. Choose one character, identify the most difficult choice they face, and discuss how the ideas of identity and legacy influence the outcome.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Curate a motivational playlist that embodies the title “Family MVP.” Share what the idea of a “Family MVP” means to you and why you chose the songs on your list.

2. Identify an activity you’re passionate about—it could be a sport, a hobby, an intellectual pursuit, or anything else—and create a roster of your ultimate fantasy team members. Indicate what role each would play in the group and why.