Ghosts

What purpose does the Angelo storyline have in the narrative? Is Angelo’s character believable? Would Nina’s character arc change without the addition of the Angelo conflict?

Address the romantic comedy tropes employed—and subverted—throughout the novel. You might consider Lola’s role as the quirky best friend, the nascent love triangle between Nina, Joe, and Max, or scenes like the hen do and the best friend’s wedding. To what end does the novel use these familiar tropes? Do they make the story more or less realistic?

Analyze the role geography plays in the narrative. What undergirds Nina’s distaste for life in the suburbs? How do certain locations in London take on a symbolic meaning in the text?

Explore the theme of self-discovery in the novel. What does Nina’s journey of self-discovery look like? How does it change her ideas about memory, relationships, and adulthood?

Consider the motif of technology in the novel. Does the novel demonize technology, or is it portrayed in a more nuanced way?

Trace Nina’s changing relationship with her mother, Nancy. What factors contribute to her emotional distance from her mother? How do changing circumstances affect the way Nina views Nancy and their relationship?

On the train ride home from the hen do, Nina realizes that Lola knows exactly what she wants in a relationship. Does Nina truly know what she wants? What kind of relationship is she looking for, and what role do gender norms play in her ideal partnership?

Discuss the concept of attraction as it’s addressed in the novel. Nina loses her physical attraction to Joe yet is still attracted to his personality. In contrast, she experiences an immediate, primal attraction to Max. Does the novel present physical attraction as deceptive or clarifying in one’s search for a long-term partner?