When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How does When the Moon Hits Your Eye compare to Scalzi’s other science fiction works, like The Kaiju Preservation Society or Starter Villain?

2. What was your initial reaction to the absurd premise of the moon turning into cheese? Did it make you more skeptical of the story or more intrigued to see how the author would justify it? How did that reaction shape your reading experience?

3. What aspects of the novel resonated with you the most, and why? Were there any moments or elements that you found frustrating or difficult to connect with?

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

1. The characters all respond to the moon’s changes in different ways. How have you reacted to unexpected changes in your own life? Did your own experience resemble that of one of the characters? Explain how and why.

2. “Be imperfect. […] You deserve it” (274), Lessa Sarah’s mentor advises her. What does it mean to deserve imperfection? In what ways can embracing imperfection be an earned or liberating act?

3. Clyde decides to spend the end of the world with his two best friends, rather than his family. Who would you want to spend the end of the world with? Where? Why?

4. What would you do if you knew the world would end in two years? How might your goals, relationships, or daily choices change? Would you pursue meaning, pleasure, responsibility, or something else entirely?

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

1. How does the novel explore media manipulation and disinformation? What parallels can you draw to contemporary political or media environments?

2. How does the novel portray the role and behavior of those in power during a crisis? In what ways do these portrayals reflect modern-day political dynamics?

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

1. Some readers argue that the novel feels more like a collection of interconnected short stories than a traditional, cohesive narrative. How did the shifting structure affect your understanding of the novel’s plot, themes, and/or emotional impact? 

2. In your opinion, which character in the novel causes the most harm, and which contributes the most good? What actions or motivations support your view?

3. Examine the mood and tone in the novel. How does Scalzi use shifts in mood and tone to enhance the satire? In what ways do humor, absurdity, and sincerity work together to shape the novel’s emotional and thematic impact?

4. Explore the symbolism of cheese in the novel. What does it represent beyond the literal transformation of the moon, and how does Scalzi use it to comment on science, belief, and/or society?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Write an epilogue for two or three characters from the novel. How do their lives change after they learn that the apocalypse has been averted? What new paths might they choose now that the world will continue?

2. Create a playlist inspired by the novel. Assign a song to each vignette and select theme music for key characters. Be sure to explain why you chose each song and how it reflects the tone, mood, or development of the character or scene.

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