We Do What We Do in the Dark Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The House of the Seven Gables and our BookBrowse Review of We Do What We Do in the Dark.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. We Do What We Do in the Dark has distinct sections that take place in different times of Mallory's life. How do these different parts of the book, and the order in which they're presented, inform each other, and what do they tell us about Mallory?
2. Mallory feels alone and craves connection with the woman, but also clings to her loneliness as a safe place. What accounts for these two opposing forces?
3. How does the book handle Mallory's sexuality, and the woman's? How do they view their individual queerness or identity?

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