Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely? by Sarah McCoy

1. The book is set against the backdrop of 1960s Hollywood, a time when fame was glamorous, isolating, and perilous for young women. How does the culture of that era shape Lori's experiences and decisions? Do you think her struggles with fame would be different in today's celebrity culture?
2. What role does Ginny Wilde play in Lori's life? Which other friends made a difference at critical moments? Did Lori strike the right balance between relying on others and standing on her own?
3. Lori and Ginny are ambitious women navigating a male-dominated industry. What were the costs and rewards of ambition for women during the 1960s? How do their experiences compare to Lu's modern struggles?
4. Lori's transformation into Lori Lovely begins with her role in Romeo & Juliet, The Musical. How does Hollywood shape her sense of self, and how does she reconcile her public persona with her private identity?
5. How does the book use art and performance as a metaphor for personal growth and reinvention? What does this suggest about the role of creativity in shaping identity? How does this theme play out in Lu's life?
6. Lori says, "Memory is made of human stuff." How does this idea shape the way she and Lu reflect on their pasts? How reliable do you think memory is in shaping identity?
7. Did you suspect Lori's true relationship to Lu?
8. Lori says of giving her baby to her sister Marie, "I didn't have one moment where I doubted my decision, nor do I feel any regret. What some may call a mistake was repurposed into a miracle." Are there instances in your life in which an event that seemed negative turned into a positive?
9. Lori's life as a nun is described as proof that "the holy and unholy are on the same daily journey." Do you agree? How does the book explore the tension and coexistence of these two seemingly opposite worlds? Do you think Lori reconciles them?
10. The Author's Note mentions that Lori is inspired by three actresses. Who do you think those real-life inspirations are?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of William Morrow. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.