The Tenant

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Were you surprised to learn of Krista’s actions in the novel? In retrospect, what moments earlier in the novel foreshadow this revelation? What emotion did you feel most strongly in reaction to this moment in the text?

2. If you’ve read other works by Frieda McFadden, like Do Not Disturb, The Housemaid, or One by One, discuss which “bad” characters you sympathized with and why. What about McFadden’s writing style makes you feel this way?

3. Which part of the book made you feel the angriest or most upset? Why did you feel this way?

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

1. Discuss a time when you experienced a financial upheaval similar to Blake’s. How did you deal with the experience? How does your reaction compare to Blake’s?

2. Consider everything that Blake does in the novel. Is there a point where his actions go from justified to wrong? If so, describe that point and why you feel this way. If not, explain why you feel like his actions are either all justified or all wrong.

3. Many of the characters in The Tenant are not who they appear to be. Discuss a time in your life when you discovered that your perception of a person and their true self were vastly different. Did it anger you? Evoke sympathy or empathy? Discuss how it made you feel and how you handled the situation.

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

1. Discuss how Krista’s mental health is portrayed in the novel. Which aspects of her character present a problematic depiction, if any?

2. Discuss and analyze the portrayal of the business world, particularly Blake’s internal conflicts, as well as the external conflict between Blake and Malcolm. What message does the novel offer about business, success, and/or money in today’s society?

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

1. Identify three character traits that you feel define Krista. Choose one specific moment in the text that exemplifies each trait and explain your reasoning.

2. What role does the setting of Manhattan play in the novel? Analyze how it impacts one theme and one character in the text.

3. Read Freida McFadden’s The Coworker. Discuss the similarities in narrative structure between the two novels. How does McFadden use the text’s structure to create the tone and mood of each novel?

4. What does Goldy the goldfish symbolize in the novel? Discuss how this symbolism develops a character or a theme in the text.

5. What primary internal conflict do you feel Krista faces in the novel? Discuss the conflict and how it impacts her actions throughout the text.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Choose one of the following: the scene where Blake joins Whitney on the couch (page 59), the one where Blake confronts Whitney at the diner (page 72), or the one where Whitney discovers the fruit and maggots in her bed (page 288). Rewrite the scene from Whitney’s perspective. Consider what you can infer about her character as well as what you learn about her from Blake and Krista, then use that to anchor her point of view.

2. Imagine you are tasked with making a film version of The Tenant. Choose two specific scenes that you feel would be pivotal to include in the film. Discuss how you would film the scene by addressing the perspective, camera angle, lighting, musical score, and any changes you would make to the original text.

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