My Dark Vanessa

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of sexual violence and harassment, child sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual content.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What did you think about the dual timeline structure that alternates between 15-year-old and 30-year-old Vanessa throughout the novel? Did you relate to one age more than the other?

2. In what ways does My Dark Vanessa compare to Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita, which is referenced throughout the book as a significant touchpoint for both Strane and Vanessa? If you haven’t read Lolita, are you more or less interested in doing so after experiencing this novel?

3. Which scenes or aspects of the novel did you find most challenging to read?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. For much of the novel, Vanessa insists that her relationship with Strane was a love story rather than abuse. Do you think this kind of reframing can ever be a healthy coping mechanism? Why or why not?

2. Which books have influenced your understanding of relationships in a significant way? How so?

3. What responsibilities do you think parents and teachers have in protecting young people from predatory behavior like Strane’s?