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Book club questions for Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale explore the themes of time travel, personal growth, and the power of self-acceptance. As a book lover who thoroughly enjoyed this delightful novel, I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you. Cassandra Penelope Dankworth’s story is an absolute gem that had me hooked from the very first page.
I loved this book because it offered a perfect blend of humor, heart, and Greek mythology. Holly Smale’s writing style is engaging and brought Cassandra’s world to life in a vivid and enchanting way. As a neurodivergent protagonist, Cassandra’s struggles and triumphs resonated deeply with me, making her a character I quickly grew to love and root for.
What are your thoughts on this novel?
Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key events, dive into the complex characters, and unravel the layers of meaning that lie within this novel. I’ve prepared a set of thought-provoking book club questions for discussion with your book clubs, that will shed light on the hidden gems scattered throughout the book.
So, make yourself comfortable, grab your favorite reading beverage, and join me as we embark on this time-traveling adventure with Cassandra.
Have a wonderful book club discussion! ✨
Summary | Ending Explained | Book Club Questions
About the story
Cassandra in Reverse is an enjoyable and quirky read about a young woman named Cassandra who struggles with fitting in.
After a series of unfortunate events, she discovers that she has the power to travel back in time. She decides to use this ability to fix her life, but things don’t go as planned, and she ends up making new mistakes along the way.
The book incorporates elements of Greek mythology and features a relatable and humorous protagonist. It’s a quick and entertaining read I deeply recommend!
About the Author
Holly Smale has been writing stories since she was four, crafting books from cereal boxes and sticky tape. She pursued various jobs like teen modeling, factory work, PR, and teaching in Japan, alongside her studies in English Literature and Shakespeare.
Her debut children’s book, Geek Girl, became a sensation, selling 3.4 million copies in 30 languages and winning the Waterstones YA Book Prize. It’s now in development with Netflix. Diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia at 39, Holly advocates for neurodiversity.
Her first adult novel, The Cassandra Complex (Cassandra in Reverse in the US), is a Reese’s Book Club and BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick. She resides in Hove, England.
Book Club Questions for Cassandra in Reverse
I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale.✨
- How does the absence of banana muffins at the café serve as a significant moment in Cassie’s life, considering her reaction to this seemingly trivial detail?
- How does Cassandra’s obsession with routine and dislike of change contribute to the events that unfold in the story?
- Imagine discovering you have the ability to control time, like Cassie. How do you think you would initially react to this newfound power? Would you be tempted to use it to alter past events, and if so, why?
- Have you ever experienced a relationship similar to Cassie’s with Will, where you felt compelled to repeatedly revisit moments in an attempt to salvage it? How did this experience shape your understanding of love and personal agency?
- Think about a time when you’ve encountered persistent advances or unwanted attention, akin to Derek’s behavior towards Cassie. How did you handle the situation, and what doubts or fears did you grapple with during that time?
- Explore the theme of self-discovery and personal growth in Cassandra’s journey through time. How does her ability to change the past impact her understanding of herself?
- Discuss the role of Greek mythology in the narrative. How does Cassandra’s knowledge of mythology shape her perception of the world and her own experiences?
- Cassandra’s relationships with others, particularly her boyfriend and roommates, undergo significant changes as she manipulates time. How do these changes affect her and the dynamics between the characters?
- Were there any instances in your life where you’ve formed unexpected connections with colleagues or acquaintances, similar to Cassie’s relationships with Sophie and Jack? How did these connections impact your personal growth and sense of belonging?
- Reflect on any strained or estranged relationships in your own family, akin to Cassie’s with Artemis. How have these dynamics influenced your sense of identity and belonging within your family unit?
- Imagine making a significant life decision, such as Cassie’s choice to pursue studies at Cambridge. How do you envision this decision impacting your sense of self-worth and fulfillment?
- In what ways does Cassandra’s neurodivergent nature influence her experiences and interactions throughout the story? How does the author portray neurodiversity and its challenges?
- Analyze the consequences of Cassandra’s repeated attempts to fix her life. How do her actions in the past ripple through time and affect the present?
- Consider the motif of control and its significance in Cassandra’s story. How does her newfound ability to reverse time impact her sense of agency and her perception of the world?
- Explore the theme of acceptance and self-acceptance in the novel. How does Cassandra’s journey through time teach her to embrace herself and her flaws?
- What is the role of humor in Cassandra in Reverse? How does the author use humor to convey the challenges and absurdities of time travel and Cassandra’s experiences?
- Reflect on the ending of the book and the lessons Cassandra learns throughout her time-traveling adventures. How does the resolution of the story contribute to its overall message about life and change?
- Choose a specific event or quote from the book that stood out to you and discuss its significance in the larger narrative. How does it contribute to the development of Cassandra’s character or the themes of the story?
- Compare Cassandra in Reverse to other time-travel narratives you have read or watched. How does this book approach the concept of time travel differently? What unique elements does it bring to the genre?
- Consider the title, Cassandra in Reverse. How does it encapsulate the essence of the story and the character? What does it reveal about Cassandra’s journey and her relationship with time?
- Explore moments in your life where you’ve grappled with feelings of inevitability versus agency. How did you reconcile these conflicting emotions, and what insights did you gain about your ability to shape your own destiny?
- If you were in Cassie’s position at the novel’s conclusion, preparing to embark on another journey through time, what thoughts and emotions do you think you would be experiencing? How would you approach this next chapter in your life?
- Discuss the portrayal of relationships in the novel, both romantic and platonic. How do they evolve and change as Cassandra manipulates time? What insights does the book offer about the complexities of human connections?
- If you had the power to change the past, like Cassandra, what moments or decisions would you be tempted to alter? How do you think these changes might impact your life and the lives of those around you?
Selected Reviews for Cassandra in Reverse
“A Time-Twisting Delight” —Reese Witherspoon
After she’s dealt a one-two punch of losing her boyfriend and her job in the span of a single morning, her fervent desire for a redo bizarrely comes true. Hoping to change the outcomes, Cassandra tries to do it all “right,” over and over. But what she discovers, and so do we, is that maybe we don’t need fixing. Full of heart, humor, and Greek mythology, Cassandra In Reverse made me laugh out loud and touched my heart in unexpected ways. —Seira Wilson
“Witty, touching and totally absorbing” —Graeme Simsion
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations:
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
In this spellbinding debut novel, two estranged half-sisters tasked with guarding their family’s library of magical books must work together to unravel a deadly secret at the heart of their collection—a tale of familial loyalty and betrayal, and the pursuit of magic and power.
For generations, the Kalotay family has guarded a collection of ancient and rare books. Books that let a person walk through walls or manipulate the elements—books of magic that half-sisters Joanna and Esther have been raised to revere and protect.
All magic comes with a price, though, and for years the sisters have been separated. Esther has fled to a remote base in Antarctica to escape the fate that killed her own mother, and Joanna’s isolated herself in their family home in Vermont, devoting her life to the study of these cherished volumes. But after their father dies suddenly while reading a book Joanna has never seen before, the sisters must reunite to preserve their family legacy. In the process, they’ll uncover a world of magic far bigger and more dangerous than they ever imagined, and all the secrets their parents kept hidden; secrets that span centuries, continents, and even other libraries . . .
In the great tradition of Ninth House, The Magicians, and Practical Magic, this is a suspenseful and richly atmospheric novel that draws readers into a vast world filled with mystery and magic, romance, and intrigue—and marks the debut of an extraordinary new voice in speculative fiction.
Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
None of them would claim to be a particularly good person. But who among them is actually capable of murder?
Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker rule the town of Salcombe, Fire Island every summer. They hold sway on the beach and the tennis court, and are adept at manipulating people to get what they want. Their husbands, Sam and Jason, have summered together on the island since childhood, despite lifelong grudges and numerous secrets. Their one single friend, Rachel Woolf, is looking to meet her match, whether he’s the tennis pro—or someone else’s husband. But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other.
Until a body is discovered, face down, off the side of the boardwalk.
Stylish, subversive, and darkly comedic, this is a story of what’s lurking under the surface of picture-perfect lives in a place where everyone has something to hide.
Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Geek + runway = a runaway UK hit! Geek Girl is the first book in a hilarious, internationally bestselling series that’s perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Julie Buxbaum.
Harriet Manners is a geek. She always has been, and she thought she always would be—but when she’s discovered by a modeling agent, she leaps at the chance to reinvent herself.
There’s only one problem: Harriet is the definition of awkward. Can she transform from geek to chic?
Includes a sneak peak at Geek Girl: Model Misfit!
Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions and as always, happy reading! ❤️