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Quick answer: Good book club questions for Anything Is Possible focus on shame, family and connection. 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: Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
– First published: 2017
– Setting: Amgash, Illinois, and the surrounding area
– Content note: Childhood poverty and trauma
Anything Is Possible 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
Anything Is Possible is a novel in stories about the people of Amgash, Illinois, the hometown of Lucy Barton from My Name Is Lucy Barton. Each chapter follows a different character, such as a school janitor, Lucy's siblings and a man who must sell his farm. In the end, Lucy returns home to visit her brother and sister.
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Main Characters and Themes
| Character or Theme | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Lucy Barton | A writer who left Amgash |
| Pete Barton | Lucy's lonely brother |
| Vicky Barton | Lucy's angry sister |
| Tommy Guptill | A janitor who knew the Bartons |
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 Anything Is Possible, and did it change as you read?
- Which scene or passage stayed with you most, and why?
Amgash
- How does the town shape its people?
- Which character's story affected you most?
- How do the stories connect?
- What does the title mean?
Family and Shame
- How do the Barton siblings differ?
- Why is Lucy's return so hard?
- Is forgiveness possible in the book?
- What role does shame play?
Craft
- Does the book work as a novel?
- How does Strout show kindness in small moments?
- Did you need to read Lucy Barton first?
- Which line stayed with you?
Looking Back
- How did the ending of Anything Is Possible 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 Elizabeth Strout one question, what would it be?
Meeting Ideas
Ask members to pick one character and describe them in a single sentence before discussion.
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 Anything Is Possible 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 Anything Is Possible 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 Anything Is Possible a Good Book Club Pick?
Anything Is Possible is a good pick for groups who enjoy quiet, character-driven books.
Books Like This One
- My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout: Lucy's story
- Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout: a novel in stories
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 Anything Is Possible?
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 Anything Is Possible work as a first pick for a new book club?
Anything Is Possible is a good pick for groups who enjoy quiet, character-driven books.
Do I need to read Lucy Barton first?
It helps, but it is not required.
Is it a novel?
It is a novel in linked stories.
Are there spoilers in this guide?
The questions after the summary discuss the ending.
What if some members have not finished Anything Is Possible?
Start with the spoiler-free questions and a short plot recap, then move to the spoiler section only when most people have finished.