1. How does the friendship between Isabella and Leo evolve throughout the story? What external pressures challenge their bond, and how do they respond to these challenges?

2. The novel depicts several friendships formed in unusual circumstances. What does this say about the role of shared experiences in building connections, particularly in the backdrop of Hollywood and McCarthyism?

3. Do you think the friendships in the story are more supportive or more challenging? Can you identify moments when the characters helped each other grow or, alternatively, held each other back?

4. Hollywood in the 1950s placed stringent expectations on women regarding their appearance and behavior. How do Isabella’s experiences reflect these pressures, and what parallels can you draw to societal expectations of women today?

5. Isabella faces a lack of agency in her career due to studio control over her image and roles. How do the other female characters in the story grapple with their own struggles for autonomy, both personally and professionally?

6. The novel explores moral double standards for men and women in Hollywood. For instance, Ingrid Bergman faced backlash for having a child out of wedlock, while male stars were not subjected to similar scrutiny. How does this double standard affect the careers and lives of the female characters in the story?

7. How does the fear and paranoia of McCarthyism impact the characters’ lives and relationships, particularly for those in the Hollywood film industry?

8. Leo is blacklisted for refusing to name names, leading to professional and personal repercussions. What does this reveal about courage and compromise in times of moral and political crisis?

9. Discuss how the inclusion of McCarthyism enriches the novel’s themes. Do you think it serves as a parallel to any contemporary issues?

10. Hollywood during the 1950s is portrayed as glamorous on the surface but rife with power struggles, betrayal and manipulation. How does this duality affect the characters’ ambitions and values?

11. How do the challenges Isabella faces in the film industry shape her character and decisions? Do you think she emerges stronger as a result of these experiences?

12. The novel contrasts the industry’s cutthroat nature with moments of kindness and solidarity among characters. Do these moments of support feel authentic, or are they outweighed by the industry’s darker elements?

13. How does the depiction of Hitchcock’s behavior toward Isabella highlight systemic sexism in the film industry? Are there any characters or events that challenge these norms?

14. The idea of controlling women’s images and roles is a recurring theme in the book. How does this impact Isabella’s career, and how does she push back against these constraints, if at all?

15. Reflecting on both historical and contemporary Hollywood, do you think the portrayal of sexism in TYPEWRITER BEACH resonates with ongoing issues in the film industry and in society more broadly today?

16. The novel blends personal struggles with historical drama. How effectively does the author balance these elements? Did one aspect resonate with you more than the other?

17. Why do you think the author chose to juxtapose Isabella’s career struggles in Hollywood with the broader societal struggles of McCarthyism and sexism? How do these elements interact thematically?

18. If you could ask the author one question about the novel’s historical context or character development, what would it be?

19. Did any specific characters or moments in the book leave a lasting impression on you? Why?

20. What lessons or insights did you take away from the book regarding friendship, perseverance or standing up for one’s beliefs?

21. How did the historical elements of the story enhance (or detract from) your connection to the characters and their struggles?