The Paradise Problem

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What is your initial impression of Anna? In your opinion, to what extent does Anna engage in unethical behavior, and what steps does she take to preserve a modicum of integrity amidst morally questionable circumstances?
• Compare and contrast Liam’s attitudes toward his various siblings. How do Liam’s interactions with each sibling reveal the roles that Ray expects them all to play in the family drama?
• How does Reagan create a more nuanced view of the unspoken dynamics in the Weston family? (Pay particular attention to Reagan’s interactions with Anna.)
• To what degree is Janet culpable in Ray’s emotional abuse of his children? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• What is your stance on Anna and Liam’s marriage of convenience? Is such an arrangement justified or unethical? 
• In your opinion, which members of the Weston family are portrayed realistically, and which are exaggerated? Have you ever met anyone like any of them?
• Consider the different ways in which Anna counters the various attitudes of entitlement that the Weston family exhibits. Have you ever encountered a similar situation in real life?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• What is the philosophical significance of the PISA scandal within the context of the Weston family dynamics? How does this incident reflect contemporary controversies surrounding technology and surveillance?
• Identify at least three different ways in which Janet Weston embodies the elitist emphasis on preserving appearances at the expense of authenticity. How has this tendency played out in any recent stories reported in the media?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Consider the novel’s different settings. How do the descriptions of the lavish island resort and Anna’s makeshift apartment reflect one of the nove’s key themes, the impact of class differences?
• Compare and contrast the premise and events of The Paradise Problem with the authors’ similarly themed novel, The Unhoneymooners. How do the authors use the plot device of an imminent wedding to explore romantic complications in both storylines?
• Identify and discuss the effectiveness of at least three romance tropes that the authors employ to develop a deeper connection between Anna and Liam. 
• How does Anna’s character development as the conflicts of the novel unfold?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.



• Choose a scene featuring Ray Weston and rewrite it from his first-person perspective. Consider the ways in which his ingrained assumptions would warp his perception of the events.
• The novel references several news articles about different scandals. Write one of these news articles: What would it say? Which aspects of the story would it emphasize?

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