Discussion Questions for Unbecoming by R. Scherm

The WEST END BOOK CLUB will be on its own, without a librarian to help guide the book discussions, for the next six months. (That’s how many books were ordered ahead of time and are still available.) Many books include discussion questions specific to the book. Sometimes, in a pinch, I’ve seen librarians come up with a set of generic questions to get readers talking about the books they’ve read. I was lucky and found two sets of questions provided by the publisher, Penguin, that will work for the next meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 16^th, 6:30-7:30 PM, at Fairmount Library, Davenport.

Discussion Questions for Unbecoming by Rebecca Scherm (Issued by the publisher.)

1. Discuss the meaning of the novel’s title. Who is unbecoming, how, why, in what ways?

2. Compare Grace’s relationship with Riley to that with Alls. Does she behave differently with them? What are the power dynamics?

3. Grace is a challenging narrator—unreliable and at times unlikeable. How did this affect the way you read the book?

4. Were you surprised by the book’s ending? What were your feelings about the way it ended?

5. Mystery and charisma are a crucial a part of Grace’s personality. Have you ever met someone like Grace?

6. What is the effect of the story being told from Grace’s point of view? How is that significant?

7. What did you take away from theme of the exploring?

1. What does Grace love about Riley and why is she drawn to him?

2. Riley paints buildings. What do his artistic choices say about his character?

3. Why is Grace’s time in New York important, and what does it teach her about herself and her relationship with Riley?

4. Grace is a self-professed liar but claims she gets no joy from it. Why, then, do you think she’s constantly avoiding telling the truth?

5. There are many thieves and liars in this book. Which acts are forgivable, and which are not?

6. What aspects of the heist and its aftermath unfold in the way Grace predicts? Which parts surprise her? 

7. In Alls, Grace finds something of a kindred spirit. What is it that they have in common? How is Alls like or unlike Riley?

8. Grace finally breaks down and tells her story—or most of it—to her coworker Hanna. What makes her choose Hanna as a confidante? What is Hanna’s response?

9. Alls comments that Grace shines a light that blinds others to who she really is. How can this quality be both a positive and a negative trait in a person?

10. Throughout the book, Grace has the sense that Riley is going to catch up with her and confront her. What did you expect would happen? 

11. The title of this book evokes multiple meanings. What does it mean to you?