Book Summary and Reviews of Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff

Book Summary

When a beloved actress is cast in a feminist adaptation of a Fitzgerald classic, she finds herself the victim in a deadly game of revenge in which everyone, on screen and off, is playing a part.

Lila Crayne is America's sweetheart: she's generous and kind, gorgeous and magnetic. She and her fiancé, visionary filmmaker Kurt Royall, have settled into a stunning new West Village apartment and are set to begin filming their feminist adaptation of Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night.

To prepare for the leading role, Lila begins working with charming and accomplished therapist Jonah Gabriel to dig into the trauma of her past. Soon, Lila's impeccably manicured life begins to unravel on the therapy couch—and Jonah is just the man to pick up the pieces. But everyone has a secret, and no one is quite who they seem.

A twisty, thought-provoking novel of construction and deconstruction in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and told through the lens of the film industry, Sweet Fury is an incisive and bold critique of America's deep-rooted misogyny. With this novel, Bischoff examines the narratives we tell ourselves, and what happens when we co-opt others into those stories; and she probes the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator and the true meaning of justice.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. The author's note mentions that Sweet Fury is in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Did you notice any Easter eggs or parallels to Fitzgerald's writing? How do these add depth to the story?
2. The three generations of women represented in Sweet Fury bring radically different interpretations of feminism to the story. How would you define a true feminist? In your eyes, are any of the characters in the novel true feminists?
3. What do you think Sash Bischoff was saying about gender dynamics in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald? How do you think his books would be received if they were published today?
4. The feminist reimagining of Tender Is the Night plays a central role in the story. How does Lila's ...