Survive the Night: A Novel

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

1. Charlie’s pulling of Robbie’s tooth, while poetic, exceeds the boundaries of a murder committed in self-defense. Did Charlie keep your sympathy despite her more extreme actions? Why or why not?

2. Sager plays with themes such as The Blurred Line Between Reality and Imagination and Trust Versus Paranoia in his depiction of Josh and Robbie. When these characters were first introduced, what clues did you detect as to their real nature?

3. The media that Charlie consumes influences her perception of reality. Have you ever felt as though films and television were skewing your perception of real events? How did you address this issue?

4. Josh and Marge are both ultimately redeemed at the end of the novel, even though they each put Charlie through traumatic situations. How do you feel about their redemptive arcs?

5. This novel plays on the idea of trust, both earned and unearned. In your opinion, what factors make people worthy or unworthy of trust? Which actions taken by certain characters should disqualify these people from receiving Charlie’s trust?

6. If you were Charlie’s friend and were watching her go through the struggles she faces after the campus murders, what advice would you give her, and why?

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

1. What dominant cultural narratives does the novel attempt to critique? Why is it important to combat assumptions about the responsibilities of those who become the targets of murderers or other threatening figures?

2. What types of masculinity are portrayed in the novel? Consider, for instance, how Josh/Jake and Robbie’s actions and behavior relate to their intentions and beliefs. What broader social commentary does the novel offer through these details?

3. What ethical considerations about extrajudicial punishment or vigilante justice does this novel bring forth? Why is this issue important to consider in the real world as well?

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

1. How does the novel’s college setting affect the character’s perception of the escalating themes and events of the novel?

2. Is Charlie a reliable or an unreliable narrator? Why? How does her narration affect the tone of the novel?

3. How does this novel invoke stereotypical tropes of the mystery and thriller genres (such as Charlie getting into a car with a strange man)? What effect do the invocation and portrayal of these tropes have on the narrative’s themes, character development, and plot progression?

4. How are physical objects used symbolically throughout the novel? (Consider items, clothing, physical places, etc.)