Printable Book Club Questions for Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

We read the story from the perspective of Mia. Why do you think the author decided to use the first-person format?
Mia and her twin brother John are home from college due to the early stages of the pandemic. How did the pandemic help add tension to the story?
Why was Mia not initially concerned when her father and Eugene weren’t home from their walk in the park? When did the family begin to sense something was truly wrong?
Why did Mia decide to wash Eugene’s bloody clothes? Do you think she suspected something then? What would you have done if you were Mia?
Eugene has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak. Let’s talk about the impact of this condition on both Eugene and the family.
As a result of Eugene unable to verbally communicate, his family treats him similar to a nonverbal toddler. When did he start to show signs that he was aware and listening?
Communication is a key theme of the novel both with Eugene and also with his mother. She also felt somewhat trapped when she came to the U.S. from Korea as she didn’t speak English fluently. Let’s compare and contrast their two struggles with verbal communication.
Eventually, we learn many of the family’s secrets including the fact their father took Eugene to an experimental communication practice that allowed him to spell out his thoughts. Let’s talk about how this changed everything for the family when Eugene was able to communicate.
Why did Mia’s father keep this a secret? How might have things been different if the family knew about Eugene’s ability to communicate prior to that fateful day at the park?
Part of the story is looking back at her father’s research into what is happiness. Why was this such a focus for him? What was your takeaway from this research? In your opinion, what is the definition of happiness?
What are your thoughts about the mystery as a whole?
What do you feel really happened that day at the park between Eugene and his father?
What happens next for the family? Will they have ever closure?