The Quiet Tenant

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

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Clémence Michallon makes the deliberate choice never to let Aidan narrate any part of the story, instead focusing exclusively on the women’s perspectives. How did this narrative decision impact your experience of the thriller, and did it differ from thrillers like Gone Girl or The Silent Patient, where readers hear directly from those who commit violence?

2. What aspects of The Quiet Tenant did you find most chilling or haunting, and why?

3. Which character’s perspective offered the most compelling window into the events of the novel?

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

1. “Rachel” creates rules to help her navigate her captivity. Have you ever developed personal rules or systems to help you through difficult situations? How did those systems serve you?

2. Which character’s coping mechanisms or survival strategies resonated with you most strongly, and why?

3. Emily’s loneliness leads her to pursue Aidan despite warning signs in his behavior. What other factors do you think lead some people to dismiss red flags in relationships?

4. May/“Rachel” ultimately chooses to embrace Emily at the end of the novel, despite their complicated history. What influences a person’s capacity to extend empathy to those who have hurt or disappointed them, in your opinion?

5. Did the novel’s portrayal of female solidarity resemble your own experiences or observations?

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

1. What does the widespread fascination with serial killers and true crime reveal about contemporary society? Consider especially the fact that Aidan exists undetected in his small community. What social or cultural anxieties does this play to?

2. The novel references Kitty Genovese’s murder and the concept of the “bystander effect.” Where do you see examples of this phenomenon in modern society?

3. What does the novel suggest about the causes of violence against women? What is the role of literature in engaging with these systemic problems?

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

1. What purpose do the interludes from Aidan’s murder victims serve in the novel’s structure?

2. The basement functions as both a literal and symbolic space in the narrative. What significance does this setting hold in relation to the novel’s themes?

3. Compare and contrast Emily’s and “Rachel’s” relationships with Aidan. What does this comparison reveal about the effectiveness of his manipulation techniques and about each woman’s vulnerability?

4. What storytelling techniques does Michallon use to create suspense without relying on the perspective of the antagonist?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to write an additional chapter from Cecilia’s perspective after she learns the truth about her father, what would it contain?

2. What scenes would be most essential to include if The Quiet Tenant were adapted for film or television?

3. Imagine May/“Rachel” and Emily’s lives five years after the events of the novel. How might their relationship have evolved?

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