Lisa Jewell’s None of This is True is a psychological thriller that will have you questioning everything you think you know. If you’re looking for the ultimate book club guide, these None of This is True discussion questions are exactly what you need!
With its twisted characters and morally murky waters, this book is perfect for book clubs looking for an intense, no-holds-barred discussion. Here are 30 discussion questions with answers to get you started—and maybe convince you to pick up a copy for yourself!
None Of This IS True Discussion Questions
Here are some great discussion questions and answers for None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell to spark conversation:
1. What’s your first impression of Josie Fair?
Josie feels like that nosy neighbor you instinctively distrust—the one who always “accidentally” overhears your juiciest gossip while pretending to water their plants. She’s too eager, too calculated. Alix should’ve run for the hills!
2. Why do you think Josie is drawn to Alix?
Josie craves validation, and Alix represents the life she could never have—glamorous, confident, and successful, like the Instagram influencer who somehow makes laundry look luxurious.
3. What does Alix’s podcast symbolize in the story?
The podcast mirrors our obsession with true crime—basically, our excuse to binge-watch murder documentaries while eating popcorn.
4. How does the title, None of This is True, influence your reading experience?
It’s a warning label! You start second-guessing everything, which makes every twist hit harder.
5. How do you feel about Josie’s marriage to Walter?
It’s deeply unsettling. Walter’s predatory behavior sets off alarm bells, but Josie’s complicity is equally chilling. It’s like watching someone open a door in a horror movie—WHY?
6. What role does Josie’s childhood trauma play in her actions?
Her past explains, but doesn’t excuse, her choices—like blaming your terrible karaoke performance on the microphone. It’s a classic case of damage begetting damage.
7. What do you make of Alix’s decision to keep recording Josie’s story?
Ethically questionable, but who wouldn’t be tempted by the ratings goldmine? Alix’s ambition clouds her judgment.
8. Is Josie a reliable narrator?
Absolutely not! Her story is a hall of mirrors—distorted, deceptive, and about as trustworthy as a used car salesman.
9. How does Jewell use suspense to keep readers hooked?
By constantly shifting loyalties and revealing just enough to make you question everything. It’s maddeningly brilliant—like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while someone keeps scrambling it again.
10. What’s the significance of the daughter who never leaves her room?
She’s a haunting symbol of secrets festering in silence—like that mysterious Tupperware at the back of your fridge. Her situation raises so many ethical dilemmas.
11. Do you sympathize with Josie at any point?
Briefly, when her vulnerability peeks through. But then she does something horrific—like a puppy that bites after you pet it.
12. How does Walter’s character influence your perception of Josie?
Walter’s predatory nature makes Josie seem like a victim—until she flips the script and becomes the plot twist no one wanted.
13. What’s your take on Alix’s relationship with her husband?
It’s a ticking time bomb—kind of like leaving toddlers alone with permanent markers. Alix’s workaholism and her husband’s resentment create palpable tension.
14. How does the setting—a suburban neighborhood—enhance the story’s creep factor?
The ordinary setting makes the horrors feel uncomfortably close to home. It’s like discovering a skeleton in your own backyard.
15. What’s the most shocking moment in the book?
When Josie’s true intentions are revealed. You thought it couldn’t get worse, and then BAM, it’s a freefall into madness.
16. Do you think Alix is partly to blame for what happens?
Yes. Her curiosity and ambition make her an enabler, even if unintentionally.
17. What does the book say about truth and perception?
Truth is subjective, and perception is easily manipulated—kind of like how every recipe says “serves four,” but you know it’s really just for one. Everyone’s version of events is self-serving.
18. How do you feel about the ending?
It’s maddeningly ambiguous but fitting—like a season finale that leaves you yelling at the screen. Jewell leaves you with more questions than answers—and maybe a sense of dread.
19. What’s the role of motherhood in the story?
Motherhood is portrayed as both a source of strength and a battleground—like trying to herd cats while blindfolded.
20. Why do you think Josie targeted Alix specifically?
Alix’s openness and naivety made her an easy mark—like a tourist holding a map in the middle of Times Square.
21. What’s the significance of the “birthday twin” concept?
It’s a clever hook that starts off cute—like matching sweaters—but ends up feeling more like handcuffs.
22. How does Jewell handle taboo topics like incest and pedophilia?
She doesn’t sensationalize them. Instead, she uses them to highlight societal blind spots and provoke discomfort.
23. Who is the true villain of the story?
Both Josie and Walter share the title. It’s a toxic cocktail of abuse, manipulation, and denial.
24. How does Alix’s podcast career evolve throughout the book?
It becomes a moral minefield—like trying to win a game of Twister on a floor covered in marbles.
25. What’s the role of social media in the story?
It’s a double-edged sword—a tool for connection and a weapon for manipulation.
26. How does Jewell use dual timelines to build tension?
The alternating timelines create a sense of foreboding, as past actions foreshadow future consequences.
27. What does the book reveal about human nature?
We’re all flawed, and under the right (or wrong) circumstances, anyone can go full villain—just add stress and stir.
28. How do you feel about the portrayal of mental health in the book?
It’s nuanced but unsettling—like watching a therapy session unfold at a family dinner.
29. What would you have done in Alix’s shoes?
Probably run far, far away—like Forrest Gump levels of running. But then again, curiosity kills the cat… or the podcaster.
30. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Absolutely! It’s a masterclass in suspense with twists that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.
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