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A Friend Like Filby
George has been fascinated with the idea of time travel ever since the unexpected death of his mother when he was ten, and hopes someday to find a friend like Filby, the forever loyal friend of the time traveler in the 1960 movie The Time Machine. George’s two closest high school friends, Dave and Nancy (nickname Onion), struggle at times to understand his odd obsession as they deal with issues of their own both in and out of school. The story takes place during the three friend’s tumultuous senior year from beginning to end, with a major realization in store for George on graduation day.
This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Dartfrog Books.
Book club questions for A Friend Like Filby by Mark Wakely
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
Which character did you most identify with in the novel, and why?
George felt guilty for not running to his mother’s side to give her one last hug like he thought she wanted when her hand seemed to beckon him after she died. What part did his guilt and grief play in his desire to find a friend like Filby?
Why do you think George, Dave and Nancy (Onion) became such close friends?
Besides being a caring person, why was George so fiercely loyal to his autistic brother Kenny, and so quick to anger over the word “retard”?
Why was it so important to George, Dave and Onion that they have their own table in the cafeteria?
How is the impromptu christening ceremony Dave performed on their “Table Two” similar to their graduation ceremony, and how are they different?
Why was George so fascinated yet repulsed by people’s hands doing anything unusual (shaking in fear, rage, etc.) throughout the novel, and did that have anything to do with his mother’s death?
Why did George sob once when Onion asked him why he was so angry at Dave for saying “retard” after their recreation of the movie scene, and why did George and Dave have such a deep, personal conversation afterwards when Dave drove George home?
“Magical Realism” is a literary term where a fantastical event is described in a matter-of-fact, ordinary tone. Which two chapters had Magical Realism, and what was so magical about them?
What kept George from recognizing for so long that Dave was as good a friend (if not even better) than Filby was to the time traveler in “The Movie”?
What was it about graduation that finally helped George come to terms with his grief and guilt, accept Dave as his “Filby”, and put an end to his fascination with “The Movie”?
Did you have the sense that Dave, George and Onion would remain friends after graduation, or would their friendship fade over time, and why?
A Friend Like Filby Book Club Questions PDF
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“Mark Wakely weaves an unusual tale with characters that are both emotionally and psychologically rich… The story is told from George’s perspective and in a first person narrative voice that is as clear as it is compelling. The prose is beautiful and evocative at times and I enjoyed the author’s peculiar turn of phrase, the humor, and his knack for vivid descriptions… It is a delightful read.” – Readers’ Favorite