The Storyteller

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of emotional abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your initial expectations of The Storyteller, and how did they shift as the various narratives unfolded? Have you read other works by Jodi Picoult that deal with moral complexities, such as Nineteen Minutes? How does this book compare?

2. The novel weaves together multiple storylines across different time periods. Which narrative thread did you find most compelling, and why?

3. How did you react to the revelation of Josef's true identity in the final pages? Did this moment change your perspective on earlier events in the novel?

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

1. Throughout the novel, the characters struggle with the weight of guilt and forgiveness. How do you relate to the different ways in which the characters cope with the consequences of their past actions?

2. The story explores people’s tendency to tell themselves different versions of their own stories in order to cope with trauma. What stories do you tell yourself about difficult moments in your life?