Woman Down

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Woman Down utilizes first-person narration, forcing the reader to rely on Petra’s perspective. Did you trust Petra as a narrator? When, if ever, did that trust begin to falter and why?

2. Consider another psychological thriller novel you have read, like The Girl Who Was Taken by Charlie Donlea or Do You Remember? by Freida McFadden. Compare and contrast your experiences reading these novels with Woman Down, specifically with regard to the tension and danger created by their psychological aspects.

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

1. Petra makes some questionable choices throughout the novel. Has someone close to you ever made a decision that you morally disagreed with? How did you approach the issue? 

2. Petra mines her personal life for material for her novel. Have you ever used something in your life as material for art or creative expression?

3. Several people in Petra’s life, including her family, Nora, and even Mari, insist that they understand the difficulties of artistic endeavor. In your own life, have you ever felt that, even as the people around you tell you that they understand your endeavor, they don’t get the whole picture? How did you reconcile this misunderstanding? 

4. Have you ever done something morally compromising for the sake of ambition or to achieve a goal? How did it make you feel? How did reading this novel impact your understanding of your own experience?

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

1. What commentary does the novel make about online visibility and access to public figures? How do you see this reflected in today’s era of social media, livestreams, and video platforms?

2. Discuss the novel’s exploration of the intersection of gender and power. Consider how Saint’s looks, size, and power are tied to his gender identity and how they facilitate his control of Petra.

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

1. How does the first-person point of view shape what information the reader receives and is not given access to? How does this impact the mood and tension within the novel? Discuss specific scenes that exemplify this.

2. What role does performance play in the novel? Discuss how both Petra and Saint are performing, both literally and figuratively. How does the exploration of this topic contribute to the novel’s exploration of identity?

3. Discuss Petra and Saint’s relationship. How does it function to both move the plot forward and develop Petra’s character? Consider the layers of their interactions as Petra and Saint, Petra and Eric, and Reya and Cam.

4. Does the novel follow the traditional arc of a psychological thriller? How does it fulfill or subvert expectations of the genre? Consider Petra’s character development throughout the novel in your response.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Write an Epilogue to the novel in which Petra decides whether to go to the next cabin or not. Why does she make this choice? How does she feel about it? What does this ultimately reveal about her character development throughout the novel? Consider these questions and more as you write your Epilogue.

2. What song, artwork, or film would you pair this novel with? What thematic, genre, and/or character connections do you see between the two? How could one inform one’s understanding of the other?