Exposure

What do you make of the “grief looks like this” asides that are sprinkled throughout the novel? Who do you think is speaking? Is it the author, a character, or someone else?

Each character deals with grief throughout the narrative—which, if any, character's grief journey did you most relate to? Why, and in what ways?

Virtually every character in the novel has dealt with the death or absence of a parent, a through line that connects all characters to each other through a specific experience of grief. How do Juliette, Noah, Annie, and Jesse’s grief experiences mirror each other? How are they different?

Annie and Juliette’s relationship is a poignant, nuanced embodiment of girlhood, coming of age, and the intimacy within female friendships. What did you find most compelling about the ways in which they grow together? Did their relationship mirror any of your own friendship experiences?

How do you picture Juliette’s mother’s photography series featuring Annie and Juliette’s friendship?

Why do you think Noah behaves as he does after Jesse’s literary success? What does this reveal about masculinity, financial security, and self-worth?

Do you think art should be appreciated for art alone, or do we need to factor in the artist behind it? In the case of The Red Balloon, do you think it should have been appraised without the surrounding PR scandal? Why or why not?

How does social media impact the controversy surrounding Noah? Is the public shaming and “canceling” warranted, or does it go too far? How much is it possible to understand both sides of a story or assess a person through social media stories? What do you personally think about cancel culture?

The timing of Annie’s revelation sets off a string of devastating events that upends Noah’s personal and professional life. How did you feel at that moment in the story? Were you stressed and upset on Noah’s behalf? Glad Annie set the record straight for Juliette? Both? Neither? Explain.

Why do you think Jesse stands by Noah in the face of the mounting accusations of assault? Did you find yourself sympathetic to her circumstance or disappointed by her choices?

What do you think of the relationship forged between Jesse and Annie? Why might they want to be in each other's orbits and get to know each other? Why do you think they relate to each other so deeply, despite being on opposite sides of Noah’s catastrophic career scandal?

What is true? is a hard question to answer throughout Exposure. What do you think truly happened between Juliette and Noah? Can multiple truths coexist at the same time?

From photography to poetry to literature to film, art and artists are a running theme throughout Exposure. How do art and truth interplay throughout the novel? What about art and grief?

Who was your favorite character at the start of the novel? Did it remain the same throughout the course of the story? Why or why not?

If you could cast the film adaptation of Exposure, who would you choose to play each character?