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Quick answer: Good book club questions for An Anonymous Girl focus on manipulation, morality and control. Below are 17 questions grouped by theme, with a spoiler-free summary, a characters-and-themes table, meeting ideas and a sample 90-minute plan.
Quick facts
– Book: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
– First published: 2019
– Setting: New York City
– Content note: Psychological abuse and a death
An Anonymous Girl is a rewarding choice for a book club because it gives readers plenty to discuss without needing special knowledge. This guide gives you questions you can use as written or adapt for your group, plus ideas for running the meeting, so that a host with little time can still lead a good conversation.
Table of Contents
Spoiler-Free Summary
Jessica Farris, a makeup artist in New York, signs up for a psychology study on ethics and morality run by Dr. Lydia Shields. The questions become more personal, and Dr. Shields asks Jessica to take part in real-life experiments. Jessica is drawn into a dangerous game.
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Main Characters and Themes
| Character or Theme | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Jessica Farris | A struggling makeup artist |
| Dr. Lydia Shields | A psychiatrist |
| Thomas | Dr. Shields's husband |
Discussion Questions (Contains Spoilers)
These questions assume everyone has finished the book, so they discuss the ending. They are grouped by theme so you can move through them in order or jump to the topic your group cares about most. Feel free to rephrase them, add follow-up questions such as “why do you think so?” and skip any that do not suit your members.
Opening Reactions
- What was your first impression of An Anonymous Girl, and did it change as you read?
- Which scene or passage stayed with you most, and why?
Jessica
- Why does Jessica keep going?
- Did you trust her?
- How does money affect her choices?
- How does she fight back?
Dr. Shields
- What does Dr. Shields want?
- Is she a villain?
- What do the questions reveal?
- Which twist surprised you?
Ethics
- Would you answer the questions honestly?
- What does the book say about morality?
- Was the ending satisfying?
- Would you recommend it?
Looking Back
- How did the ending of An Anonymous Girl make you feel, and was it the ending you expected?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend, and what would you tell them first?
- If you could ask Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen one question, what would it be?
Meeting Ideas
Ask members one of the study's questions, such as “Could you be lying?”
A simple way to start is to have each person share a one-sentence rating of the book before discussion begins. It surfaces disagreements early and gives quieter members a chance to speak first. You can also ask each member to bring one question of their own, which often leads to the best conversations of the night.
Ways to Make the Discussion Richer
- Compare formats. If a film, series or stage version of An Anonymous Girl exists, discuss what changes and why.
- Share a favorite line. Ask each person to read a short passage that stood out and explain what it meant to them.
- Cast the book. Ask the group who they would cast in the main roles, and why.
- Rate the pace. Ask where the book felt fastest or slowest, and whether the structure worked for them.
- Pair it with a snack or drink. Food connected to the story gives guests something to talk about before the formal discussion starts.
Tips for Leading the Discussion
- Prepare, but stay flexible. Pick a handful of questions in advance and let the group's reactions guide you.
- Invite quieter voices. Ask someone who has not spoken to share a favorite line or scene.
- Welcome disagreement. A lively debate about a character is a sign that the book is working.
- Return to the text. Ask members to point to a passage in An Anonymous Girl that supports their view.
- Watch the clock. Move on when a question has run its course, and save extra questions for another time.
If your group has only an hour, choose one question from each theme and skip the rest.
Is An Anonymous Girl a Good Book Club Pick?
An Anonymous Girl is a fast psychological thriller.
Books Like This One
- The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen: a twisty thriller
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides: a psychological thriller
How to Structure Your Meeting
A 90-minute meeting works well in four parts:
- Welcome and quick ratings (10 minutes). Settle in and share a one-line reaction.
- Spoiler-free talk (20 minutes). Start with characters, setting and style before the plot.
- Spoiler discussion (45 minutes). Work through three or four of the questions above, letting the conversation wander when it is productive.
- Wrap-up (15 minutes). Share favorite lines, choose the next book and thank the host.
If the conversation is going well, it is fine to let it run long and skip some questions.
After the Meeting
Send a short follow-up message with the next title, the date and a link to any readings or articles that came up. Some groups keep a simple record of books read and ratings, which makes it easier to choose future picks and spot the kinds of books the group loves most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions should we prepare for An Anonymous Girl?
Five to eight is enough for a 90-minute meeting. This guide gives seventeen, so you can choose the ones that fit your group.
Does An Anonymous Girl work as a first pick for a new book club?
An Anonymous Girl is a fast psychological thriller.
Is it a thriller?
Yes.
Is it violent?
Mildly.
Are there spoilers in this guide?
The questions after the summary discuss the ending.
What if some members have not finished An Anonymous Girl?
Start with the spoiler-free questions and a short plot recap, then move to the spoiler section only when most people have finished.