Apples Never Fall

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Trace your engagement with the novel throughout. Were there particular scenes that you found engaging or gripping? What was your reaction to the final plot twist? 
• Liane Moriarty’s work has become a cultural phenomenon, with novels like Nine Perfect Strangers and Big Little Lies inspiring multiple adaptations. How does Apples Never Fall compare to her other work? What about the adaptations of this novel or her others? Are there other writers or novels you would compare this work to?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• Reflect on the novel’s exploration of love. What questions does the novel raise for you? Does its portrayal of love coincide with your own understanding?
• Discuss the ways in which sacrifice appears in the novel. Did Moriarty’s examination of sacrifice complicate your understanding of the topic? Have you ever made sacrifices in your own life?
• At the end of Apples Never Fall, Joy and Stan are reunited despite the uneasy revelations about their marriage over the course of the book. Would you consider this a happy ending? What is Moriarty saying about marriage and happiness?
• Consider the novel’s portrayal of the Delany family.