The Little Liar

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Were you surprised by the revelation in the novel’s final chapter that the voice of Truth was Fannie? Is there any evidence for this earlier in the novel?
• This book deals with heavy themes. What was your emotional experience reading the novel?
• A major theme in the novel is the widespread devastation caused by the Holocaust. What new information did you learn about the Holocaust from this book? How has it changed your thinking about this historical event?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• Nico is unintentionally roped into one of the most heinous crimes in human history, permanently altering his future. Did you find his situation sympathetic? Why or why not?
• The tension between Nico and his brother Sebastian is central to the novel. Why do you think relationships between siblings are so often fraught?
• Which of the narratives—Nico, Sebastian, or Fannie—did you find most compelling, and why?
• Why do you think Sebastian and Fannie fell in love? How does their experience compare to your own experiences of romantic love?
• How did you feel about Fannie’s murder of Udo in the penultimate chapter? Is it justified? Why or why not?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

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

• Katalin Karady was a real Hungarian actress who saved Jewish lives by breaking the law. How do you think her actions would be received in today’s political and entertainment world?
• The novel suggests that the traumas of childhood can have effects lasting into adulthood. What policies or interventions could help survivors of childhood trauma in your own society?

4. Literary Analysis

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

• How did the novel’s structure of moving back and forth between the three main characters affect your reading experience? How does it contribute to the work’s overall meaning?
• Analyze the book’s title: What is its significance? Why is it important that Nico is introduced to the reader as a liar?
• Consider the characters’ lives in the aftermath of the Holocaust. What do you think the novel is saying about the responsibilities of survivors (of either the Holocaust or any other personal or historical trauma)?
• Despite the novel’s title, truth is an important theme throughout The Little Liar. What does the book have to say about the nature of Truth?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you were adapting this novel, how would you represent Truth? Would she be an active character or simply an invisible narrator? Which actors would you cast in the roles of Sebastian and Fannie? Would you cast young Sebastian and Fannie as children or teens? How might this change the text?
• Imagine you are a reporter interviewing one of the novel’s characters about their experiences during the Holocaust. What questions would you ask, and what do you suppose their answers might be?

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