READERS GUIDE

The Good Part RGG
1.      The Good Part opens with Lucy despairing about her living situation, her job and her love life. Despite all the grievances, what are some of the bright spots you think Lucy isn’t seeing in her circumstances?
2.      Lucy, Faye, Roisin, and Zoya have always been there for each other—from celebrating first jobs to first loves. And despite all the changes with Lucy’s leap forward, her connection to them doesn’t falter. What role do Lucy’s friends play in the novel, and did you relate to any of these characters in particular?
3.      Zoya is both Lucy’s best friend and her personality opposite. Discuss their similarities and differences. To what extent does Lucy rely on Zoya to make sense of herself?
4.      If you woke up sixteen years in the future, how would you react? Did Lucy’s reaction make sense to you, or would you have handled the turn of events differently?
5.      Some of the most endearing moments in the story include the ways Lucy falls in love with her husband, Sam. Which was your favorite interaction between them? How do the circumstances of their reunion reinforce their love for each other? Discuss the extent to which you believe their love is fated.
6.      One of Lucy’s obstacles is coming up with a business pitch that she has no background on. Have you ever had to “fake it ‘til you make it”? How did it go?
7.      We get glimpses of how the world has changed in sixteen years, with delivery drones, paying via palm scans and the extortionate price of coffee. How do you think the world will have changed in sixteen years’ time?
8.      Even after the time jump, Lucy’s parents maintain a comforting sense of ‘Momness’ and ‘Dadness.’ How important was it for Lucy to see her parents amid the chaos of her situation? Which of your parents’ quirks would you be relieved to see if you found yourself in Lucy’s situation?
9.      In Lucy’s effort to catch up with all that she has missed, she asks Sam to tell her about himself, and he is understandably caught off guard. What opportunity does Lucy’s need for recollection offer to those around her? Do you think her loved ones are generally telling the truth or putting a more positive spin on things?
10.   Much of the humor in The Good Part comes from Lucy’s internal reactions to her world. Discuss how author Sophie Cousens uses humor to provide insight into Lucy’s struggles. Which reaction did you find the funniest?
11.   The Good Part pays homage to our past selves, the bittersweetness of life, and what it means to grow up. If you could write a letter to your past self now, what would you say? In reference to the title, what does “the good part” mean to you?
12.   At the end of the book, Lucy must decide whether to stay in the future or go back to her past life. Do you agree with her decision? What are the risks, and do you agree with how Lucy made her decision?