Defending Jacob Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

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Defending Jacob by William Landay

Defending Jacob

A Novel

by William Landay
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  • Critics' Consensus (4):
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  • First Published:
  • Jan 31, 2012, 432 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Feb 2013, 496 pages
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Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Courtroom Drama and our BookBrowse Review of Defending Jacob.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

  1. How would you have handled this situation if you were Andy? Would you make the same choices he made? Where would you differ the most?


  2. Before and during the trial, how would you have handled the situation if you were Laurie? Do you feel she made strong choices as a mother and a wife?


  3. Is Andy a good father? Why or why not?


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  1. How does the author develop themes of identity and belonging throughout the narrative?
  2. What role does the setting play in shaping the characters' decisions and relationships?
  3. Discuss how the ending reframes the events of the story. Were you surprised?


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

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Beyond the Book:
  Courtroom Drama

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