58 pages • 1-hour read
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: A Novel
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
2. Who was your favorite character, and why? Did you find any of the characters wholly unlikable?
3. Which moment or twist in the novel surprised you the most, and why?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Don Makepeace’s anecdote about the yellow Mini Clubman explores the phenomenon of incidents that cannot be rationally explained. Have you, or someone close to you, ever had a similar experience?
2. Hallett explores the distinction between legal and moral justice in Gabriel’s imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. Do you believe that justice is ultimately served by Gabriel’s incarceration? What would you have done with Amanda’s research materials?
3. Discuss Amanda’s contribution to Oliver’s vulnerable psychological state. Is her revenge on Oliver justified? Why or why not?
4. While the narrative’s conclusion ties up most loose ends, Hallett hints that supernatural forces may have played a role in events. What is your interpretation of the novel’s ending? Did you find the resolution satisfying?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. Compare and contrast The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels with The Girls by Emma Cline. Analyze how both books highlight the exploitative tactics of cults.
2. Discuss how Amanda and Oliver’s relationship highlights the insidious nature of gaslighting and coercive control.
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. Discuss the novel’s unconventional narrative structure. How did the format affect your reading experience? Would you have enjoyed the story more or less if Hallett presented it in a more traditional format? Given the prevalence of technological communication, could narratives told through emails and WhatsApp messages represent the “future” of the novel?
2. Analyze how The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels compares to more traditional epistolary novels, such as Dracula by Bram Stoker or The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.
3. Discuss Hallett’s depiction of Amanda and Oliver in the novel. Identify how their characters develop and how the reader’s perception of them changes as the narrative progresses.
4. Analyze the author’s exploration of The Ethics of True Crime in the novel. How does the author explain the public’s appetite for the genre?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the roles of Amanda, Oliver, and Gabriel?
2. Imagine a sequel to The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. Where do you think the storyline and characters would go next? What unresolved questions would you like to explore further?
3. If you were to write an alternative ending, what changes would you make to the narrative’s resolution?
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