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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

The Sequel

1. Did you read THE PLOT before reading THE SEQUEL? If your answer is different from that of your reading buddies, compare your reading experiences.

2. The chapter titles in THE SEQUEL are themselves titles of other writers’ sequels to their novels. Did you spot that, and if so, at what point?

3. Discuss Anna as the antihero. Did you enjoy reading the story told from her perspective? Would you want to be friends with her?

4. Anna’s recollection of Evan contrasts sharply with his recollection of her. Where do you think the truth lies? Is Anna a reliable narrator?

5. Do you view Anna as the villain of the story, or is the villain her husband, her brother or her blackmailer?

6. Would Anna’s book have hit the bestseller list if she hadn’t been married to a famous author? Or if Jake hadn’t died at the height of his literary fame? Given what you learn about how Evan’s manuscript was handled, do you think he had a chance of being published?

7. What moments surprised you the most? Any favorite scenes?

8. Discuss the ending. What do you think is next for Anna? Do you think she will ever suffer the consequences of her actions?

The Sequel
by Jean Hanff Korelitz