The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of graphic violence, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise presents an intergenerational friendship with unexpected depth. How did this novel defy or confirm your expectations about stories featuring elderly characters?

2. The title suggests that parts of the story might be embellished or fictional. Which elements felt most authentic to you, and which seemed more “mostly true” than completely factual?

3. The road trip adventure in this novel brings to mind the classic film Thelma & Louise or novels like Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity. How did this story’s intergenerational friendship compare to other female buddy adventures you’ve encountered, and did it change your expectations for this type of narrative?

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

1. Louise tells Tanner that women who aren’t angry aren’t paying attention to the world. Do you relate to this perspective on feminine rage? Have your own experiences demonstrated how this kind of anger could be warranted or productive?

2. Both Tanner and Louise deal with physical limitations—Tanner’s broken leg and Louise’s broken hip and Parkinson’s. How has an experience with physical limitation shaped your perspective on vulnerability?

3. When Tanner shoots at Salvatore, she reclaims her agency in a way she couldn’t during the frat party incident. What moments in your life have helped you recognize or reclaim your own sense of agency?

4. Louise and George maintained a whisper network to help women escape abusive relationships. What support networks or communities have you relied on during difficult times in your own life?

5. The novel explores how Tanner’s perception of herself changed after losing her soccer scholarship. Have you ever experienced a shift in identity after losing something central to how you defined yourself?

6. Forgiveness plays a crucial role in the novel: George forgives Louise and Vee forgives Tanner. What has been your experience with offering or receiving forgiveness after a significant betrayal?

Explore broader implications and cultural relevance.

1. How does the novel address society’s tendency to underestimate elderly women? What other examples of this have you observed in contemporary media or daily life?

2. The story spans multiple decades, showing how issues of domestic violence and women’s safety have and haven’t changed since the 1970s. In what ways do you think societal responses to these issues have evolved since Louise and George ran their whisper network?

3. Consider how the novel portrays digital technology through Tanner’s video game playing and phone reliance. What statement might the author be making about the role of technology in the modern world?

Examine technical and thematic elements.

1. The gun is a symbol throughout the novel. How does its meaning evolve as the story progresses, and what does it reveal about each character’s relationship to power?

2. How does Oakley use the motif of Louise’s hair to develop the theme of aging and bodily autonomy?

3. The novel uses multiple perspectives, including those of Louise, Tanner, and FBI agent Lorna Huang. How do these varying viewpoints contribute to our understanding of the central mystery and the characters’ motivations?

4. The revelation that George is a woman challenges both Tanner’s and the reader’s assumptions. How does this moment reflect broader themes about gender and perception in the novel?

5. Explore how the novel’s road trip structure is both a physical journey and a metaphor for the characters’ emotional development. Which locations or moments along the way are significant turning points?

6. The novel uses humor amid serious themes of aging, abuse, and loss. How does this balance of tone affect the overall impact of the story?

Encourage imaginative interaction with the text.

1. What do you think Tanner might do with the Kinsey Diamond? Create a scenario for her future that honors what she’s learned from her journey with Louise.

2. The novel ends with Louise passing along both wisdom and a tangible treasure to Tanner. What adventures might Tanner have next?

3. The whisper network that Louise and George operated helped women escape abusive situations. How might such networks function today, and what modern technologies or methods could make them more effective or accessible?

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