Turtles All the Way Down

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of mental illness.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your initial reactions to Green’s portrayal of mental illness through Aza’s perspective? How did this depiction compare to other portrayals you’ve encountered in literature—e.g., Susanna Kaysen’s Girl, Interrupted or Neal Shusterman’s Challenger Deep? Did it change your perspective on mental illness in any way?

2. How effective was the balance between the mystery storyline involving Russell Pickett’s disappearance and the deeper exploration of Aza’s internal struggles?

3. What impact did the novel’s ending have on you? Did you find it satisfying and realistic?

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

1. Throughout the novel, Aza struggles with questions of identity and what makes a person “real.” How do you define your own sense of self?

2. The novel explores different kinds of loss and grief. How do you think people process different types of absence in their lives?

3. Daisy and Aza’s friendship faces several challenges. What role do you think honesty plays in maintaining long-term friendships?