Last weekend, my book club met via Zoom to discuss Landslide by Susan Conley. I didn’t find any discussion questions online so I reached out to the author on Instagram to see if she had any. Susan was kind enough to send me some questions she’d been asked while giving interviews about Landslide. I used these as a starting point and created my own set of questions for our group.

Overall, everyone in my club enjoyed the book a lot. We all agreed the writing was strong and atmospheric.

If your group is meeting to discuss Landslide, I hope you will find these questions useful.

Book Club Discussion Questions for Landslide by Susan Conley

1. Discuss the symbolism of the island the the Jill’s circumstances of isolation and loneliness.

2. Change and the sense of being “stuck” are central themes throughout the novel. Jill reflects that change may or may not be a bad thing. in this context, is it? For Maine? For the fishing industry?

3. Jill refers to her sons as “the wolves,” what do you think this means?

4. How many ways does the idea of “landslide” frame the book?

5. Do you believe Jill’s husband had an affair? (we never really know for sure) Ultimately does it matter?

6. What did you think of Laura’s suggestion that Jill have a “sex positive” house? What does that phrase mean to you?

7. What purpose does the death of Sam’s best friend play in the novel? How does it affect how Jill parents the two boys?

8. Do you have hope for this family in the end? What do you think happens after the book ends?

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