READERS GUIDE
Introduction
Book Club Discussion Questions1. The town of Walleye is linked with how Waylon sees himself, his family, and his identity. How does his self perception—and perception of Walleye—change throughout the course of the novel? What does Waylon hope to achieve by transforming Walleye and running for mayor?
2. “When The New York Times and The Guardian talked about Josh Modley and the Gentlemen it was all about politics. I didn’t see politics. I saw, for the first time, millions of lonesome guys just like me.” (p9) Many of the characters, beyond Waylon, seem to long for genuine connection. How is loneliness and alienation, particularly in the age of social media, represented in the novel?
3. Compare Waylon’s friendships with Solomon and Derby to his relationship with the Chmielewski Three. How do each of these groups influence how Waylon relates to himself? How do they make him feel?
4. Waylon often mentions getting “exquisitely buttered.” Discuss his coping mechanisms throughout the book, particularly in times of loneliness, failure, or difficulty. Were they effective? Did they change over time?
5. “If you watch a Josh Modley, the algorithm gives you another one right after it, and it sends lesser Josh Modleys named Neil and Darius and Tristen one after another and another. If you’re smoking herb and eating Cool Ranch Doritos, you can sit there for hours.” (p28) How does the novel portray the allure of toxic online cultures like the manosphere?
6. “I was a Gentleman because I was feeling hopeless about my prospects and I was comforted that other people felt the same way.” (p41) Do you feel empathy for Waylon and the Chmielewski Three for being drawn to Josh Modley? Why or why not?
7. Consider Waylon’s relationship with his mom, Tracy. How does Waylon feel about both him and his mother being adopted? How does ROC and Stan’s financial situation affect each of them?
8. Waylon’s enrollment leads to a newfound fascination with Stoicism. Why do you think the teachings of Marcus Aurelius speak to Waylon? What influence do they have on him?
9. How did you react to Stan’s death? Was it something you expected, or predicted?
10. “To them, it was just politics. I spoke a truth. I had thousands of followers. It was good that people hated me, an achievement. Influence and power were all that mattered, not the latest barbarism from the pronoun psychos.” (p188) Discuss your perception of Lauren and the Students for Prosperity. Why do you think they sought out Waylon to run for mayor? What does he represent to them?
11. Consider the women of What Gentlemen Do, like Tracy, Dr. Lincoln, Derby, and Dr. Honsa, and how their perspectives are represented in the novel. How do each of them influence, challenge, or support Waylon?
12. “You’ve communicated nothing to me, nothing but distasteful stupidity, white grievance, and racism and passive-aggressive nonsense for four and a half years. Then you take a philosophy class and all of a sudden you’re in love with me.” (p292) How do you think Derby felt in this confrontation with Waylon? How does their relationship change throughout the course of the novel?
13. After Waylon loses the mayoral race, he breaks down in the hotel bathroom, finally confronting everything that had been weighing on him—his father’s death, Dr. Lincoln’s departure, his loved ones dying or leaving him behind. Do you feel Waylon was repressing or denying his feelings? Discuss his emotional growth over time.
