All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of trauma.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about the way Greenwood structured the novel through multiple perspectives? What effect did this have on your understanding of the central relationship? Like Toni Morrison's Beloved, the novel uses various viewpoints to tell a complex story. How do these two works compare in their use of multiple narrators?

2. What was your initial reaction to the relationship between Wavy and Kellen? Did your feelings change as the story progressed? Why or why not?

3. The title All the Ugly and Wonderful Things suggests a duality that runs throughout the novel. What do you consider to be the “ugly” things, and what are the “wonderful” things?

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

1. The novel explores how institutions often fail the people they're meant to protect. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a situation where systems designed to help actually caused harm?

2. Wavy finds safety and meaning in studying the stars. What has served as your “north star” during difficult times?