Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Think about Mira’s confession in the prologue that she was “the girl who hit the golf ball” (10). What expectations did this opening set for you? As the story unfolded, did you read it primarily as a legal thriller, a psychological drama, or a coming-of-age story?

2. What was your experience with the novel’s engagement with Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita? Did you find that this literary conversation deepened your understanding of Mira’s story?

3. The narrative builds toward Olivia Foster’s dramatic courtroom confession. Did you find this resolution satisfying? Before the truth was revealed, who did you suspect was responsible for placing the target in Mira’s bag?

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

1. Mira is consumed by “magical thinking” that connects her affair with Theo to Kenny’s death as a form of karmic punishment. What does Mira’s struggle reveal about the nature of guilt? Have you ever created a link between two unrelated events to make sense of something difficult? 

2. Dennis Kerrington’s cruel dismissal to “be a banker” paradoxically ignites Mira’s determination to become a writer. Can you recall a moment when a negative comment or setback actually motivated you to pursue a goal more fiercely?

3. Following the accident, Mira’s parents focus on legal liability and damage control rather than her emotional needs. When facing a crisis, do people in your own life tend to prioritize practical solutions over emotional support? What do you prioritize when supporting your loved ones?

4. The story contrasts Mira’s public image as a confident, popular golf prodigy with her private torment and self-loathing. Do you have different public and private selves? How does the way people see you diverge from your inner life?

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

1. Set in the late 1970s, the novel depicts a world with different social norms regarding statutory rape, mental health, and trauma. How do you think Mira’s story, particularly the community’s reaction to her affair with Theo, would be received if it took place today?

2. The prosecution’s strategy hinges on painting Mira as a privileged, entitled rich girl. Where do you see similar class-based narratives being used in the media or legal system today? What does the novel suggest about how class influences public perception of guilt and innocence?

3. Mira’s talent makes her a threat in the male-dominated world of the country club, earning her resentment from men like Harry Fallows. How does the novel explore the unique pressures on women who excel in traditionally masculine fields? Do these social dynamics still feel familiar?

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

1. Mira narrates this story from the perspective of adulthood in 2026, nearly 50 years after the events in the story. How does this perspective inform the portrayal of 18-year-old Mira? How might the story be different if told from her perspective?

2. What is the significance of Mira’s discussion of “Mira Land”? How does this concept of a private psychological space illustrate her isolation? 

3. The driving range target begins as a simple piece of equipment. How does its symbolic meaning evolve over the course of the novel and as the truth about its removal is revealed?

4. The sport of golf is central to the story. How does it function as an element of Mira’s identity and power, and how does its meaning change to her?

5. How do the competing courtroom narratives from prosecutor Eric Lindley and defense attorney Cleon Barker support the idea that the justice system is an arena for “competitive storytelling”? What does the trial’s conclusion ultimately say about the nature of truth in a legal context?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were casting a film adaptation of The Amateur, which actors would you choose for the key roles of Mira, Theo, and Ethan? What specific scenes do you think would be the most important to get right to capture the book’s tone?

2. At the novel’s end, we learn that Sharon Foster and Eleanor Catton co-founded an organization to help girls exploited by older men. Based on Mira’s experience, what do you think the primary mission of this organization should be?

3. The book concludes with Kenny’s earnest, unsent letter. If the adult Mira, now a successful novelist, were to write a response to him, what do you imagine she would say? What might she want him to understand about the life she built after the tragedy?