The Woman in the Window

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of mental illness, substance use, death, sexual content, suicidal ideation, and emotional abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How effective was the author’s use of an unreliable narrator in building suspense throughout the novel? Did you find yourself questioning Anna's perceptions? At what point did you begin to doubt or trust her observations?

2. The Woman in the Window draws heavily from Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. How does the novel both honor and diverge from its inspiration? Have you seen other works that effectively reimagine classic films—for example, Gone Girl's take on Vertigo?

3. How did you react to the revelation that Anna had been conversing with her deceased family members throughout the novel? How did this knowledge change your understanding of earlier scenes?

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

1. Anna finds comfort in classic films as a way to escape her reality. What forms of escape do you turn to during difficult times? How do they help or hinder your ability to cope?

2. The novel explores how isolation can distort a person’s perception of reality.