READERS GUIDE

Reader’s Guide
Revenge Plot by Stephanie Wrobel
Discussion Questions:


Warning: Some of these questions contain spoilers!

Characters

1.         Arina dismisses likability as a meaningful way to judge a character, suggesting that the most compelling characters may be the ones readers root against. How much does likability matter to you when reading?

2.         What was your overall impression of Arnie? Did you come to empathize with him at all?

3.         What did you think of the version of Neve portrayed in Arnie’s novel? Between Claudia and Michael, whose understanding of Neve—as a schemer versus an ingenue—felt closer to the truth?

Writing & Craft

4.         The novel offers insight into the writing process, from idea to first draft. What, if anything, about the realities of being a working writer surprised you?

5.         Neve outlines the types of twists in fiction (p. 214). Which of these twists do your favorite novels use? Can you think of any additional twists not covered here? Which novel(s) employed them?

6.         Neve says in the book that writing doesn’t care how many hours your butt has been in a chair, that “Effort expended sometimes does not correlate with desired results.” Does Neve’s observation jibe with the way you think about the relationship between effort, talent, and luck?

Ambition

7.         Neve reflects on how embarrassing it can be to pursue a dream—the effort, the failures, and the small wins that keep you going. How does this idea resonate with you? Does it speak to your own experience?

8.         Neve often finds that taking on too much creates both anxiety and a sense of purpose. Why might panic feel “worthwhile” to her?
Does this novel ultimately challenge or affirm that mindset?

9.         Throughout the book, Neve measures herself against other writers, often imagining them as more disciplined and more deserving of success. In what ways do comparison and guilt shape her ambition? Where do they lead her?

10.       Neve tells herself that success should be enough on its own, even if no one else knows about it. To what extent is recognition part of success? Does it need to be shared to feel real?

Authorship & Audience

11.        The novel raises the question of how much a writer shares of their personal life should be truthful or transparent. What, if anything, do fiction writers owe their readers beyond the work itself?

12.       Claudia suggests that a book’s or an author’s “origin story” can be just as important as the story on the page. How much weight do
you give to such narratives as a reader, and should they matter?

13.       Michael argues that art should reflect the harsh truths of reality, while Claudia believes fiction should provide escape and a sense of justice. Which perspective do you find more compelling, and why?

Endings

14.       Claudia and Michael become reluctant bedfellows by the end of the book. Do you think they each got what they deserved? One more than the other?

15.       What comes next for Michael? Will he continue writing as Jo Stone or try to succeed under his own name?

16.       The characters debate whether story endings should mirror the ambiguity of real life or impose order and meaning on it. What kind of endings do you prefer?