The Family Upstairs

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of mental illness.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel alternates between past and present timelines, revealing information gradually. How effective was this structure in building suspense? Did you find yourself more invested in one timeline over the other? Did this structure enhance or detract from your reading experience?

2. How did your perception of Henry as a narrator change throughout the novel? At what point did you begin to question his reliability, and what specific moments made you doubt his version of events?

3. The novel explores how people can fall under the influence of charismatic figures like David. What aspects of the Lamb family's situation made them particularly vulnerable to manipulation? What warning signs did you notice?

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

1. Throughout the novel, characters make difficult choices to protect themselves or their loved ones. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between two difficult options? How did you handle it?

2. Libby discovers that her identity isn't exactly what she thought it was. Have you ever had an experience that fundamentally changed how you view yourself or your family history? How did you respond?