Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum

1. "Have you ever considered the long-term impacts of what you're doing? Of telling people that what they have is not enough?" Why do you think Daniel's words have such a profound effect on Alan? Does Alan fully embrace a "less is more" mentality by the book's end?
2. Vivian's personal history plays a large role in the decisions she makes and compulsions she demonstrates throughout the book. Do you think her behavior is warranted based on what we know of her past?
3. In their current form, do the Queen Annes represent female empowerment and support, reinforce older clichés and oppress the women in and around the organization, or some combination of both?
4. If Alan had been anyone else, would that have changed how his behavior was received? Do you think there's a certain level of privilege built into his behavior?
5. Throughout the novel, a character named Fred keeps reappearing to sell wares and sow discord in the neighborhood group chat. Did you have an idea of who Fred was before we officially learned their identity? What do you think Fred's motivation was for their actions online and off?
6. Vivian wants a swimming pool so that Bailey and Sunny will fit in better with their peers. She buys Sunny the most expensive and popular helmet for her horseback riding and makes sure Bailey attends the most exclusive school. Can you understand why she prioritizes what she does for her daughters?
7. Ultimately, this is a book about what really matters at the end of the day: not things, but people. In what small ways throughout the novel did you see the Anderson family's relationships with each other grow?
8. How did you feel about the ending? What do you think is next for the Andersons?
9. Do you think "the American Dream" is achievable? If so, did the Andersons ever reach it at any point in the novel?

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