Are you planning to discuss “What Alice Forgot” at your next book club meeting and need some thought-provoking questions? Written by best-selling author Liane Moriarty, this compelling novel takes us on an emotional journey of memory loss, self-discovery, and personal growth.
This blog post provides a curated list of discussion questions that delve deep into the themes and characters of the novel. Don’t miss out – read on for insightful conversation starters about Alice’s ten-year memory gap!
Key Takeaways
- “What Alice Forgot” is a compelling novel that explores themes of memory loss, self – discovery, and personal growth.
- The book raises thought – provoking questions about how memories shape our identities and the impact of relationships on our lives.
- Book club discussion questions delve into topics like the portrayal of memory loss and identity crisis, character development, and the theme of self-discovery.
- Fun activity ideas for book clubs include role play, creating a memory jar, sharing recipes inspired by the book, watching the movie adaptation (if available), and reflecting on personal memories.
- Moriarty, Liane (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 544 Pages – 12/26/2017 (Publication Date) – Berkley (Publisher)
Discussion Questions for “What Alice Forgot”
Here are some questions to kickstart your group’s conversation about the book.
Did reading “What Alice Forgot” lift your spirits up or bring them down?
Reading “What Alice Forgot” can stir up many feelings. It is a book that takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. For some, it lifts spirits by showing how Alice finds herself again.
On the other hand, it may bring others down due to its themes of memory loss and change. Every reader may react differently based on their own encounters in life. At the end of it all, this story gets one to think about their own past and future choices which makes for an exciting read!
Does the title represent the book well?
The title of the book, “What Alice Forgot,” hints at a story about forgetting. It tells us something big is lost from Alice’s mind. But there is more to it than just memory loss. The title may make you think it’s all about Alice and her problems with memory.
However, the book also delves into other areas like relationships, personal growth, and self-discovery. So yes, in a way the title does represent the book well, as forgetting is a central theme.
At the same time though, this story has many layers that go beyond what we might assume based on its name alone.
Were you aware the book was set in…?
The book “What Alice Forgot” takes place in a special spot. It’s a big part of the story. Did you know where it was set? It can change how we see the story. The people, places, and culture in this area matter to Alice’s life.
This location helps tell her tale. Alice’s journey goes with the place she lives in.
Did you like the younger Alice best?
In the book “What Alice Forgot,” one question that can spark a discussion is whether you liked the younger Alice or the older Alice better. The younger version of Alice is carefree and happy, while the older Alice has become more cynical and stressed.
It’s interesting to compare how her personality has changed over time and think about which version we relate to more. This question also ties into the theme of personal growth and whether people can change for the better.
What would your younger self of ten years ago think…?
Imagine if your younger self from ten years ago could see you now. What would they think? Would they be surprised by the person you’ve become, or would they be proud of your accomplishments? Reflecting on this question can provide valuable insight into how much you’ve grown and changed over the past decade.
It’s a chance to evaluate whether you’re living the life you imagined for yourself and whether there are any areas where you still want to make adjustments. Take a moment to connect with that younger version of yourself and consider what advice they might have for you today.
Exploring the Themes and Characters
Alice’s character development in “What Alice Forgot” is a central theme that explores the impact of memory loss and identity crisis on her journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
The portrayal of relationships and friendships also plays a significant role in shaping the story, highlighting the deeper significance of human connections in our lives.
Analysis of Alice’s character development
Alice’s character development is a central focus in “What Alice Forgot.” At the beginning of the story, she is portrayed as a cheerful and devoted wife to her husband Nick. However, after losing her memory, Alice begins to question not only who she was ten years ago but also who she has become.
As she rediscovers her past through the eyes of her sister Elisabeth and friend Frannie, Alice realizes that she has changed in significant ways. She navigates the challenges of divorce, infertility, and strained relationships with humor and determination.
Throughout the novel, we witness Alice’s growth as she learns valuable lessons about love, forgiveness, and finding joy in unexpected places. The exploration of Alice’s character development adds depth to the story and prompts readers to reflect on their own personal journeys of self-discovery.
The portrayal of memory loss and identity crisis
In “What Alice Forgot,” author Liane Moriarty explores the themes of memory loss and identity crisis. The main character, Alice, wakes up one day with amnesia and can’t remember the past ten years of her life.
This leads to an intriguing exploration of how our memories shape who we are and how losing them can cause us to question our own identity. As Alice tries to piece together her past and understand who she has become, readers are drawn into a thought-provoking examination of the impact memory has on our sense of self.
Throughout the book, Moriarty skillfully depicts the confusion and frustration that accompany memory loss. Alice’s struggle to reconcile her old self with the person she has become is portrayed authentically, allowing readers to empathize with her journey.
The impact of relationships and friendships on the story
In “What Alice Forgot,” the impact of relationships and friendships is a central theme in the story. After waking up with amnesia, Alice must piece together her past and understand how her relationships have changed over the last decade.
Her interactions with her sister Elisabeth and friend Frannie play significant roles in helping her uncover important memories and navigate through this challenging time. The book explores how relationships can shape our identities, influence our choices, and even reveal unexpected truths about ourselves.
Through Alice’s journey, readers are reminded of the power of connection and the profound impact that friends and loved ones can have on our lives.
The theme of self-discovery and personal growth
In the book “What Alice Forgot,” the theme of self-discovery and personal growth is explored through the journey of the protagonist, Alice. After losing a decade of memories, Alice must piece together her life and make sense of who she has become.
Through her younger self’s eyes, she reflects on her choices, relationships, and aspirations. This theme invites readers to reflect on their own lives and consider how they have grown and changed over time.
The exploration of self-discovery and personal growth in “What Alice Forgot” provides rich material for meaningful discussions among book club members.
Book Club Activity Ideas for “What Alice Forgot”
Engage your book club with fun activities inspired by “What Alice Forgot.” From role play to recipe exchanges, there are plenty of ways to dive deeper into this thought-provoking novel.
Read on to discover exciting ideas for your next book club meeting!
Role play: Act out a scene from the book and discuss the characters’ motivations and actions.
Act out a scene from “What Alice Forgot” with your book club members and talk about why the characters do what they do. The book is written by Liane Moriarty and is highly recommended for its life-changing impact.
It’s listed among the top 100 book club books of all time. In this activity, you can delve into the motivations behind the characters’ actions and explore their personalities through role play.
Memory jar: Create a jar filled with memories or quotes from the book and take turns sharing and discussing them.
Create a memory jar filled with memories and quotes from “What Alice Forgot.” Each member of the book club can contribute to the jar by writing down their favorite moments or meaningful quotes from the book.
During your meetings, take turns sharing these memories and discussing why they stood out to you. This activity allows everyone to reflect on different aspects of the story and engage in lively conversations about their interpretations.
Recipe exchange: Share recipes inspired by the book or mentioned in the story and discuss their significance.
As part of your book club discussion for “What Alice Forgot,” a fun and interactive activity is to participate in a recipe exchange. Share recipes that are either inspired by the book or mentioned in the story, and discuss their significance.
This activity combines the love of reading with the enjoyment of cooking and food. It allows book club members to explore how certain dishes or ingredients relate to specific scenes or characters in the book.
Use this opportunity to share your favorite recipes and discuss why they hold meaning within the context of “What Alice Forgot.”.
Personal reflections: Reflect on your own memories and how they shape your identity. Share any significant memories with the group.
Take a moment to think about your own memories and how they have shaped who you are. Share any important memories with the group during the book club discussion. This activity will help us understand the themes and characters in “What Alice Forgot” on a deeper level.
The book explores how memory plays a role in our identity, so reflecting on our own experiences can provide valuable insights for discussion.
Book vs. movie: Watch the movie adaptation of “What Alice Forgot” (if available) and compare it to the book. Discuss the similarities and differences.
FAQs
1. What is “What Alice Forgot” about?
The book tells the story of Alice Love, who is twenty-nine and pregnant with her first child. She comes to on the gym floor, an odd place as she hates the gym. She finds out that she’s now 39 years old and has lost ten years of memory.
2. Who are Elisabeth and Frannie in “What Alice Forgot”?
Elisabeth and Frannie are important people in Alice’s life who also have their own challenges in the story.
3. How does Liane Moriarty include book club discussion points?
Liane Moriarty includes book club discussion questions at the end of “What Alice Forgot” for further thought about topics like self-reflection, acceptance, change, relationships and more.
4. How does Alice react to her new life?
Alice is shocked by many changes when she learns she’s actually getting divorced from the husband she loves and has become a super skinny mom with really expensive clothes which is far from what she imagined a decade ago.
5. Are there any film rights sold related to this book?
Yes! The film rights for this New York Times bestselling book have been sold to Fox.
6. Can I write my thoughts or reactions while reading “What Alice Forgot”?
Yes! It encourages readers’ self reflection.You could even write a letter to your future self to be opened in ten years based on how you feel after reading the novel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book “What Alice Forgot” by Liane Moriarty lends itself well to a lively and thought-provoking book club discussion. The provided discussion questions encourage readers to delve into the themes of memory loss, identity, relationships, and personal growth.
By reflecting on their own lives and connecting with the characters in the book, readers can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the importance of cherishing memories. So gather your friends for an engaging conversation about this captivating novel!