Printable Book Club Questions for The Editor by Steven Rowley

Let’s discuss James’ first interaction with Jackie! Why did his agent withhold the information that the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was his editor? How do you think you would have reacted if you were James?
What did you think about the author’s depiction of Jackie throughout the novel? What stuck out the most to you about her? Why do you think she was so engaged with James’ novel? Do you have an interest in the Kennedys? Did you know that Jackie was an editor at one point in her life?
Let’s discuss the reasons why James decided to write about his mother. Why was his mother so upset when she found out he wrote a novel about her?
James also has a very complicated relationship with his father—who was never accepting of him. Do you think he knew all along that he wasn’t James’ biological father? Do you believe he had any regrets about his actions to James and his mother?
Why did James have such difficulty in writing the ending to his book? What was he afraid of revealing to the world but also to himself?
What are some of the ways Jackie pushed him to finish the ending, (which really was re-connecting with his mother)?
Why did James stop going by Francis? What did the name Francis signify to both James, his mother and father? Let’s discuss the scene where his mother reveals that a man named Frank was his biological father.
Let’s now talk about James’ relationship with Daniel. Why do you think James let himself get so entranced with Mark? Were you surprised Daniel eventually forgave James? Do you think James and Daniel are in it for the long run?
Let’s discuss the significance of James’ mother attending his book launch party.
Now let’s talk about the ending. His mother finally asks why he wrote about her and he says:
“You’re the most extraordinary women I’ve ever met.”
She then calls him Francis again. How did this whole experience help repair their relationship?
Do you think James will ever try to find his biological father?
Why do you think mother/son and mother/daughter dynamics can get so complicated?