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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

The Divorce Party

1. Nate suggests that people with some money act differently than people with a lot of money. What does he mean? If you were to come into a large sum of money, in what ways would you expect it to change you? How would you want your life to stay the same?

2. Gwyn seems to place most of the blame for her marital problems squarely on her husband. How much responsibility does Eve bear? Do you think Gwyn should have been harder on her? How much responsibility lies with Gwyn?

3. Put yourself in Maggie’s shoes. Would your trust in Nate be shattered? Do you think you’d be able to overcome your uncertainty about him? Is it ever best not to know the truth?

4. Do you think a divorce party is a good idea? Would you hold a celebration for a divorce or a break-up? Would you attend one?

5. How do you see Gwyn faring? What about her husband’s relationship with Eve? How do you expect it to evolve?

6. Should Gwyn have confronted Thomas earlier? How do you think their story would have been different?

7. In what ways has Maggie been affected by her mother’s leaving? What about Nate and Georgia? How have they been affected by their relationships with their parents?

8. Do you know women like Murphy? Why do you think she would make up a crazy story and make a stranger uncomfortable? Maggie could have avoided worrying about Murphy if she’d only confronted Nate about what Murphy said. If she’d come right out and asked him, do you think Maggie would have believed Nate’s denial?

9. Music is woven throughout The Divorce Party and is ultimately critical to the book’s resolution. Why is music such an important part of love stories?

The Divorce Party
by Laura Dave

  • Publication Date: April 28, 2009
  • Genres: Fiction, Romance
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Books
  • ISBN-10: 014311560X
  • ISBN-13: 9780143115601