The Last Anniversary

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of mental illness

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What struck you most about Moriarty’s portrayal of the complexities beneath seemingly perfect lives? How does The Last Anniversary compare to her other works exploring the facades that women maintain, such as Big Little Lies? Do you think this novel offers a more hopeful or more cynical view of women’s relationships than her other books?

2. Sophie’s inheritance of Connie’s house sets the entire story in motion. How did this unexpected gift affect your expectations for the novel? Did the story unfold in ways you anticipated?

3. The Munro Baby Mystery drives the entire plot of the novel. What did you think of how Moriarty balanced the historical elements with the contemporary storylines?

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

1. Sophie struggles with the pressure to find love and start a family before it’s “too late.” Do you relate to her struggle with societal expectations about relationships and motherhood, or have you seen other women face this tension?

2. Margie’s transformation through her Weight Watchers journey and friendship with “Rotund Ron” shows how external validation can rebuild self-esteem. Have you experienced similar moments when outside perspectives helped you see yourself differently?

3. Moriarty describes Grace’s battle with postpartum depression with raw honesty. What aspects of Grace’s struggle resonated with you, whether through personal experience or observing others?

4. The novel explores different types of family structures, from Sophie’s close relationship with her parents to the unconventional family she creates with Eddie. How do these various family dynamics reflect your own experiences or ideas about family? 

5. Have you had experiences where revealing your true self in a family setting felt both liberating and terrifying? Which family relationship in the book felt most authentic or aspirational to you?

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

1. The novel depicts generational differences in attitudes toward mental health, particularly around postpartum depression. How do the older women’s dismissive attitudes reflect broader societal changes in understanding maternal mental health?

2. Set in early 2000s Australia, the story shows different approaches to women’s independence and career ambitions. How do the female characters’ choices reflect the opportunities and limitations women faced during that period? What parallels do you see between the novel and contemporary discourse around gender discrimination?

3. The creation of the Munro Baby Mystery as a tourist attraction speaks to how communities commodify tragedy and mystery. What real-world examples does this remind you of, and what ethical questions does this practice raise about turning personal stories into public entertainment? Do you think Rose and Connie were justified in their deception, given their desperate circumstances?

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

1. Moriarty uses multiple narrative perspectives and timeline shifts throughout the novel. How did this structure enhance your understanding of the characters and the central mystery?

2. Food appears repeatedly as both a symbol of love and a source of danger, particularly with Grace’s nut allergy. How does Moriarty use this motif to explore themes of familial bonds and vulnerability?

3. The contrast between Sophie’s privileged upbringing and Rose’s traumatic past shapes their different approaches to life and love. How do their backgrounds inform their perspectives on fate versus self-determination?

4. Grace’s children’s book character Gublet becomes increasingly dark as her mental health deteriorates. What did you think of this device for revealing Grace’s inner state without explicit exposition? How did these inserted story fragments affect your understanding of Grace’s mental state throughout the novel?

5. How does the revelation that the Munro Baby Mystery was entirely fabricated reframe your understanding of the other secrets and relationships in the novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were designing a museum exhibit about the “real” history of Scribbly Gum Island after Rose’s revelation, what artifacts and stories would you include in an exhibit about the Doughty sisters’ survival during the Depression?

2. Imagine you’re Sophie’s friend helping her decide between Ian, Rick, or Callum before she meets Eddie. Write her a letter giving her your advice on how to navigate these complicated romantic choices.

3. The anniversary celebration becomes the climactic setting where multiple secrets are revealed and relationships reach turning points. Design your own community celebration that could serve as the backdrop for dramatic revelations in your life or community.