The Grace Year

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Did the ending of the book seem inspiring and hopeful to you, or sad and discouraging? Do you think the ending’s tone was appropriate for its subject matter and themes?
• The Grace Year is often compared to William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. In what ways are these two novels similar? What are some key differences? Does it remind you of anything else you’ve read?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

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

• The Grace Year is a dystopian novel. What other dystopian novels, games, or films have you encountered? What do you like and dislike about stories in this genre? 
• In your experience, do people turn on one another the way they do in The Grace Year? Under what circumstances do you think this is more likely or less likely? Do you agree with the novel’s portrayal of this phenomenon among women/girls as opposed to men/boys? 
• The various women in the story have different reactions to their society’s oppressive expectations. Which woman’s reaction did you find most relatable, personally? Why?
• The novel makes it clear how patriarchal systems oppress women.