Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
(Click here to download a printer-friendly PDF of these questions)
- The author opens with her death fantasy, one that is very elaborate and detailed. Have you ever imagined your spouse dropping dead? If so, what were the circumstances and did it make you feel guilty?
- When the author started her marriage project, did you think it would work? Why or why not?
- Did you think the book could possibly have a happy ending? Why or why not?
- Do you think this story offers hope for other unhappily married couples? Why or why not?
- Do you think all marriages can be saved? Why or why not?
- Should unhappily married people stay together for the kids, even if their marriage is hopeless?
- What illusions did you have about marriage years ago that you no longer have now?
- What is your definition of “marriage”?
- How have fairy tales, romantic comedies and other media distorted our ideas about what it takes to have a happy marriage?
- Do you believe in the idea of soul mates?
- Do you ever wish your partner could just read your mind?
- Do you ever say you are “fine” when you are really pissed as all get out?
- What is your definition of “Happily Ever After”?
- The author writes a short fairy tale in the chapter titles. What did you think of this technique?
- The author talks directly to the reader in a number of places. Did you find this engaging and effective or tiresome and overdone?
- Would this book have had the same impact if the marriage had not been saved and had instead ended in divorce?
- The author used self-help to heal her marriage rather than going to marital therapy. What do you think of this decision of hers, and is it one you think you might make for your own marriage?
Join the Conversation
Let’s get bad marriages out of the closet.
Let’s out the death fantasy.
Let’s talk about sex.
Bowman wrote Project: Happily Ever After to make other divorce daydreamers feel normal and to start an honest conversation about marriage. You can join that conversation, too.
Or take a free sneak peek into the book:
