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Book Club Questions for Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon explore the themes of deception and hidden identities, the enduring strength of human connection in the face of adversity, the psychological toll of trauma, and the blurred boundaries between victimhood and empowerment.
What a dark and juicy novel! It’s nightmarish, and heartbreaking, yet expertly structured which is quite impressive for a debut author. The narrative’s unique perspective shifts kept me engaged, leaving me curious to know if others felt the same sense of connection.
What were your impressions of this novel?
Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon
This blog post contains the book club questions for Quiet Tenant, and I have also attached a printable PDF at the bottom of your post for your convenience. I hope this helps!
I’m excited to hear your unique perspectives during our book club discussion, and I have shared some additional recommendations below.
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!
Summary | Ending Explained | Book Club Questions
About the Story
“The Quiet Tenant” is a really intense and suspenseful book that’s all about a guy named Aidan. He seems like a nice and helpful person in his small town, but guess what? He’s actually a secret serial killer who has done some really bad things.
He’s kidnapped and killed eight women, and he’s planning to hurt another one named Rachel. After Aidan’s wife dies, he has to move to a new place with his daughter Cecilia, and he brings Rachel along, pretending she’s just a friend. But Rachel is strong and determined, and she starts to connect with Cecilia.
There’s also this woman named Emily who gets involved, and things get really dangerous because she’s getting close to finding out Aidan’s terrible secret.
The story is told from different perspectives, like Rachel, Cecilia, and Emily, and it’s about how these women fight back against the scary things happening around them. It’s a mix of a super exciting thriller and a deep look into how people cope with really tough situations.
About the Author
Clémence Michallon is a talented author and accomplished journalist based in New York, known for her impactful work at The Independent.
With a strong educational background in political science and journalism from renowned institutions like Sciences Po in Paris, City, University of London, and Columbia Journalism School, Clémence’s writing prowess shines through.
Her debut thriller, “The Quiet Tenant,” set to release in 2023 by Knopf (US) and Little, Brown (UK), has already secured rights in 30 countries, generating significant anticipation. In 2020, she also penned a novel in French, a compelling story that revolves around a female bodybuilder’s journey managing her sister’s bakery, delving into themes of self-identity and belonging.
Clémence Michallon’s engaging narratives and insightful storytelling mark her as a rising star in both the literary and journalistic worlds.
Book Club Questions for The Quiet Tenant
1. Let’s talk about Emily and Rachel. What strengths and vulnerabilities do each of them possess, and how do they compare? Are there any parallels in their experiences that stood out to you?
2. As Rachel shares her rules for survival, such as “He always wins” and “He’s always right, and you’re always sorry,” what do these reveal about her state of mind and Aidan’s control over her? Have you encountered similar dynamics in real-life relationships?
3. Aidan seems to manipulate Emily and stoke her crush on him. How does he achieve this? What tactics does he use to maintain control over those around him?
4. The voices of Aidan’s previous victims play a haunting role in the story. How did their perspectives affect your understanding of the narrative? What significance do the artifacts in the basement hold for Aidan?
5. Cecilia’s worldview and coping mechanisms come into focus throughout the book. What are her beliefs about love, security, and gender dynamics? How do her experiences shape her perceptions?
6. Describe the evolving portrait of Caroline, Aidan’s wife. How did your opinions of her change as the story progressed?
7. Aidan’s wife’s illness seems to trigger his obsession with control. Why do you think he developed a sadistic appetite? What could be the reasons behind his decision to spare Rachel for an extended period?
8. Rachel’s narration style, with second-person pronouns and present-tense verbs, stands out. How does her storytelling technique affect your connection to her experiences? How does her narrative voice contrast with Emily’s, Cecilia’s, and the voices of Aidan’s victims?
9. The novel contrasts scenes of mouthwatering food in Emily’s restaurant with Rachel’s descriptions of starvation. How does the book explore the themes of hunger and need, and what do these representations teach us about the characters’ experiences?
10. As Rachel reflects on her relationship with her brother, what insights does her journey reveal about the human will to survive? How does her brother’s influence shape her perception of life, and what lasting impact does he leave on her?
11. In Chapter 41, “The Woman Without a Number,” Rachel vividly recounts her abduction. How does this scene provide us with a glimpse into the predator’s mindset and the chilling moment of entrapping their victim? What emotions and techniques does it evoke?
12. When Rachel’s true identity is unveiled, what does this reveal about her ability to maintain a sense of self during her captivity? How do her memories of family and past trauma shape her resilience? To what extent do our innate characteristics versus external influences define our identity?
13. “The Quiet Tenant” explores the theme of concealed evil within ordinary life. What traits and behaviors enabled Aidan to blend seamlessly into his communities, even garnering sympathy from a judge? Did the book alter your perception of the world’s hidden complexities? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where appearances masked the truth, and you were at the mercy of someone’s deceptive facade?
14. “Was The Quiet Tenant what you were expecting from the cover and blurb? Did you find it difficult or upsetting to read at any point?
15. Have you read many other books in the psychological thriller genre? If so, how does The Quiet Tenant compare to them? Can you identify any potential crossover into other genres?
16. What do you believe are the primary themes of the novel, and how are they intricately explored through the different perspectives?
17. The deliberate absence of Aidan’s perspective is noticeable. Did you observe this while reading, and how does it contrast with other works in the thriller or true crime realm that do give voice to the antagonist?
18. How did Clémence Michallon’s choice of second person narration for ‘Rachel’ impact your engagement with the story? Do you think it altered your perception of, or connection to, her character? Compare this narrative approach with Emily and Cecelia, who share their viewpoints through first person narration.
19. How did the alternating perspectives of Rachel, Cecelia, and Emily influence the book’s tone and pace? Did you find yourself becoming more invested in certain characters due to their knowledge or lack thereof? How might the narrative dynamic have shifted with only one perspective?
20. Reflect on the book’s epigraph: ‘Alas! Who does not know that these gentle wolves Are of all such creatures the most dangerous?’ (Charles Perrault, Little Red Riding Hood). Do you think the choice of a children’s story reference was intentional, and if so, why? Who do you believe the author is alluding to with this quote?
21. “It’s embedded in you, once you’ve been a girl…” (pages 26-27). What does this quote signify to you, and how does it relate to the bonds that form between Rachel, Cecelia, and Emily?
22. What are your thoughts on the ending of the novel? How do you envision the future for each of the women involved?
Selected Reviews for The Quiet Tenant
“Dark and juicy . . . like Emma Donohue’s Room, the novel takes this creepy and claustrophobic premise and spins a paradoxically expansive plot from it, told from the perspective of his victim, his daughter, and a local restaurant owner.” —Vogue
“Nightmarish, nerve-jangling, and horrifying, this one is not for the fainthearted, but it’s an explosive, utterly gripping read.” —Booklist
“Clémence Michallon’s The Quiet Tenant is a spell-binding Trojan horse of a novel, bracing and beguiling. A dangerous man and his unforgivable crimes are its seeming center but, in Michallon’s nimble hands, the novel soon reveals itself to be a story of female strength, cunning, depth, and power.” —Megan Abbott
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club discussion questions and reading guide for Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations related to this book:
The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica
A woman is drawn into a mysterious web of secrets in this twisty whodunnit from New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica.
Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to a coastal island in Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.
But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.
Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea
The bestselling author of Twenty Years Later and master of modern suspense is back with a brilliantly twisting, skillfully plotted thriller perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose and Colleen Hoover’s Verity.
Alex Armstrong has changed everything about herself—her name, her appearance, her backstory. She’s no longer the terrified teenager a rapt audience saw on television, emerging in handcuffs from the quiet suburban home the night her family was massacred. That girl, Alexandra Quinlan, nicknamed Empty Eyes by the media, was accused of the killings, fought to clear her name, and later took the stand during her highly publicized defamation lawsuit that captured the attention of the nation.
It’s been ten years since, and Alex hasn’t stopped searching for answers about the night her family was killed, even as she continues to hide her real identity from true crime fanatics and grasping reporters still desperate to locate her. As a legal investigator, she works tirelessly to secure justice for others, too. People like Matthew Claymore, who’s under suspicion in the disappearance of his girlfriend, a student journalist named Laura McAllister.
Laura was about to break a major story about rape and cover-ups on her college campus. Alex believes Matthew is innocent, and unearths stunning revelations about the university’s faculty, fraternity members, and powerful parents willing to do anything to protect their children.
Most shocking of all—as Alex digs into Laura’s disappearance, she realizes there are unexpected connections to the murder of her own family. For as different as the crimes may seem, they each hinge on one sinister truth: no one is quite who they seem to be . . .
The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf
A woman receives an unexpected visitor during a deadly snowstorm in this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf.
True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace.
As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls—haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them.
Printable PDF
Feel free to distribute these questions to your book club members before your meeting. Simply click the link below to download and print the PDF file.
Happy reading! ❤️