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1. Talk about the underground realm of the Starless Sea. How would you describe the library to someone who has never read the book?

2. Three of the book’s most prominent symbols, in a book full of them, are a sword, a key, and a bee. What is the role each symbol plays in the book and what does each signify, or represent?

3. One of the novel’s central ideas is that we are our stories. How does this theme unfold during the course of the story?

4. (Follow-up to Question 3) In what way is this book about Zachary’s life story—that as a child he made a choice not to open a magical door? What does he learn throughout this book about how that decision altered his life? What about turning points in your own life. Do you think back on some of them and wonder how a different decision might have led you on a completely different path?

5. (Follow-up to Question 4) The novel asks the question, if a single decision can alter the direction of our lives, to what degree are we in charge of our own stories/lives? Are our lives subject to fate, or destiny?

6. In what way is The Starless Sea also about how stories take over our lives? Zachary, for instance is presented with “a labyrinthine of tunnels and rooms filled with stories.” How can he (or we) not be drawn in?

7. Morgenstern has packed her novel with literary allusions. Even Zachary’s own name contains three of them. Can you unpack others: consider works by Lewis Carroll, Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling. J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Jules Verne. Can you identify others? Are the literary references clever “affectations,” or do they actually affect the plot of the novel?

8. Which of the mysterious characters were you most puzzled by… intrigued by… or drawn to? Take any one of the following, for instance: Rhyme, the Keeper, Mirabel (is she Fate…or is she the Moon?), Allegra, Eleanor, and Simon. Any others?

9. Zachary observes at one point that reading a novel is like “playing a game where all the choices have been made for you ahead of time by someone who is much better at this particular game.” Care to comment on that statement?

10. What was your experience reading The Starless Sea? Was it what you had hoped for? More than you’d hoped for? Less? Did you find yourself entering a world of enchantment… or a cluttered, confusing world? In other words, were you pleased or disappointed? How would you compare this book to Morgenstern’s first, The Night Circus? (Questions by LitLovers.)

September –  Transcription by Kate Atkinson
October – An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
November – Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
December – Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
January – The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
February – My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
March – Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
April –
May – Snow in August by Pete Hamill
June – Empire Falls by Richard Russo
July – The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think Eleanor leads a lonely life? What factors contribute to her unconventional personality?
2. What are some things that Eleanor has to learn that most of us take for granted? Why does she want to change her appearance?
3. Why does Eleanor feel sorry for beautiful people? Do you think there’s some truth in her reasoning? Why or why not?
4. Describe Eleanor’s relationship with her mother. Why do you think Eleanor keeps in regular contact with her?
5. Little gestures of kindness mean a lot to Eleanor. Why? Do you think most people overlook the importance of thoughtfulness?
6. Eleanor often speaks her mind. Does her forthrightness make you uncomfortable or make you cheer for her?
7. How does Eleanor and Raymond’s relationship evolve? Where do you see them in five years?
8. Raymond tells Eleanor that she deserves nice things. Why do you think he feels that way? Do you agree with him?
9. When does Eleanor start to feel hopeful about her life? What signs of positive change did you notice in her day-to-day routine?
10. How did you feel about the ending of the book? Did it change your perspective about Eleanor
11. Knowing the truth about Eleanor’s family, look back through the book to revisit her exchanges with her mother. Did you see what was ahead? How did Honeyman lay the groundwork for the final plot twist?
12. What are the different ways that the novel’s title could be interpreted? What do you think happens to Eleanor after the book ends?
13. Eleanor says, “These days, loneliness is the new cancer—a shameful, embarrassing thing, brought upon yourself in some obscure way. A fearful, incurable thing, so horrifying that you dare not mention it; other people don’t want to hear the word spoken aloud for fear that they might too be afflicted” (p. 227). Do you agree?
14. What does Raymond find appealing about Eleanor? And why does Eleanor feel comfortable opening up to Raymond?
15. Eleanor is one of the most unusual protagonists in recent fiction, and some of her opinions and actions are very funny. What were your favorite moments in the novel?
16. “Did men ever look in the mirror, I wondered, and find themselves wanting in deeply fundamental ways? When they opened a newspaper or watched a film, were they presented with nothing but exceptionally handsome young men, and did this make them feel intimidated, inferior, because they were not as young, not as handsome?” (p. 74). Eleanor’s question is rhetorical and slightly tongue-in-cheek, but worth answering. What are your thoughts? If men don’t have this experience, why not? If they do, why is it not more openly discussed?
17. Eleanor is frightened that she may become like her mother. Is this a reasonable fear? What is the balance of nature and nurture?
18. Is it possible to emerge from a traumatic childhood unscathed?
19. Eleanor says, “If someone asks you how you are, you are meant to say FINE. You are not meant to say that you cried yourself to sleep last night because you hadn’t spoken to another person for two consecutive days. FINE is what you say” (p. 226–227). Why is this the case?

(Questions by LitLovers.)