The Librarianist

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you respond to the character of Bob Comet? Did you find his quiet, book-centered life relatable, admirable, problematic, or something else entirely?

2. The novel moves between different time periods in Bob’s life. How did this non-linear structure affect your experience of the story and your understanding of Bob’s character development?

3. The Librarianist shares thematic elements with other books about book lovers, such as Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. How does deWitt’s approach to depicting a book-loving protagonist compare to other stories of socially awkward bibliophiles?

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

1. Bob’s identity is deeply intertwined with his love of books and his profession as a librarian. What interest, hobby, or profession has similarly shaped your identity? How has this connection evolved throughout different phases of your life?

2. Throughout the novel, Bob struggles with making meaningful connections with others, often preferring the comfort of books. When have you chosen the predictability of a cherished activity over the unpredictability of human relationships? What prompted this choice?

3. When Bob discovers that “Chip” is actually his former wife Connie, he responds with caution rather than immediate confrontation. What does his measured response reveal about his character? How might you have responded in a similar situation?

4. In retirement, Bob must find new ways to create meaning in his life beyond his career. What strategies have you or someone you know used to navigate major life transitions? How do these compare to Bob’s approach?

5. At the senior center, Bob eventually connects with residents by meeting them on their own terms rather than forcing his interests on them. When have you had to adapt your approach to form a connection with someone very different from yourself?

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

1. The novel presents various perspectives on aging through the residents of Gambell-Reed Senior Center. How does the portrayal of aging in The Librarianist compare to broader societal attitudes toward the elderly? What might deWitt be suggesting about how we value or devalue older adults?

2. Libraries serve as a sanctuary throughout Bob’s life. In our increasingly digital world, how do you see the role of physical libraries evolving? Do they still serve the function for today’s society that they did for Bob?

3. Many characters in the novel (Bob, Ida, June, Mr. Whitsell) are portrayed as eccentric outsiders who find community with each other. What does the novel suggest about society’s treatment of those who don’t conform to conventional social expectations?

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

1. How does deWitt use the character of Ethan as a foil to highlight aspects of Bob’s personality and life choices? What insights does this contrast provide about both characters?

2. The novel employs several symbols, including Connie’s red string and the final scene of bobbing for apples. Select one symbol and discuss its significance to the themes of the novel.

3. The novel portrays three distinct periods of Bob’s life: his childhood adventure to Astoria, his relationship with Connie and Ethan, and his retirement years. How do these sections connect to reveal Bob’s character development?

4. The theme of work and purpose runs throughout the novel. How do different characters approach this theme, and what conclusion does the novel ultimately suggest about finding meaning in life?

5. The narrative reveals Bob’s fears about Connie and Ethan early in the story, essentially foreshadowing their affair. How does this narrative choice affect the tension and emotional impact of their betrayal?

6. Patrick deWitt is known for creating unusual protagonists, as seen in The Sisters Brothers and other works. How does Bob Comet compare to deWitt’s other main characters? What makes him distinctively a deWitt protagonist?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Which character from The Librarianist would you invite to your own book club, and what book would you recommend they read? What insights might they bring to the discussion?

2. The novel ends with Bob bobbing for apples at Halloween, symbolizing a new chapter in his life. What do you envision for Bob’s life at Gambell-Reed one year after the novel’s conclusion? What new relationships or interests might he develop?

3. Bob carefully curates reading selections for others throughout his life. What three books would you recommend to Bob, and how might these books address the themes or challenges he faces throughout his life?

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