Good Night, Irene

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What did you know about women’s contributions to World War II before reading this novel? Were you familiar with the “Donut Dollies” or any similar activities women engaged in?
• Goodnight, Irene revolves around the enduring friendship between Dorothy and Irene. Have you read other novels that focus on female friendship? Why do you think these types of relationships can be significant and transformative?
• Do you typically enjoy reading historical fiction? Why or why not? How does Urrea evoke the World War II setting?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

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

• Dorothy and Irene are motivated to join the war effort because they both encounter tragedy in their personal lives (Irene escapes an abusive relationship and Dorothy loses her family). How have you coped with difficult circumstances in your own life? Did challenging circumstances ever motivate you to make a significant change?
• Consider Dorothy’s choice to begin working with the Grey Ghosts. Do you think she is morally justified in doing so? Why or why not?
• At first, serving coffee and donuts does not seem like a significant contribution to the war effort. Have you ever underestimated a task or role? How and why did your perspective change? Do you believe that seemingly small contributions can end up having a significant impact on a project or goal?
• In your experience, what makes a friendship enduring? Do you think that the stressful context of warfare contributes to the intensity of the friendship between Dorothy and Irene? Under what circumstances have you formed particularly meaningful or intense bonds with others?
• Dorothy and Irene eventually forgive one another for the events on the night of the crash, but only after decades of misunderstanding, guilt, and suffering. Why do you think people sometimes hold on to events from the past? What factors are necessary to make forgiveness and self-compassion possible?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• The novel depicts the effects of PTSD on individuals who have direct experience of armed conflict. How does PTSD continue to impact veterans’ ability to reintegrate into civilian society? What kinds of additional support could society offer to veterans?
• Dorothy and Irene face challenges in their male-dominated environment, including sexual harassment. In what ways (if at all) have historically male-dominated environments like the military become more inclusive over time? What types of policies and protocols can ensure that different workplaces and environments are accessible to all genders?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How does the novel establish contrast between Dorothy and Irene? In what ways are the two women different, and why are their differences complementary? How does each woman grow and change throughout the novel?
• The novel’s title references a popular American folk song. How does this allusion deepen your understanding of the novel’s characters, themes, etc.?
• Discuss the symbolism of food within the novel. What does the food served to people on the battlefield offer to them beyond physical sustenance?
• Dorothy raises Andrea as her own daughter and eventually also has a granddaughter, Dolly. Discuss the significance of female legacy in this family. How does Dorothy raise her daughter and granddaughter to be strong and independent? What does she model for them while running her own successful business?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you had to serve one food item to individuals in a crisis, what food would it be and why? Consider the role that cultural connections and memory can play when it comes to food—what foods do you find most comforting? Consider sharing a recipe or preparing the food for your book club meeting. 
• Luis Alberto Urrea was inspired to write the novel based on his mother’s wartime service as a Red Cross Volunteer. Is there a family member or ancestor whose life you find inspiring? If you were to write a novel based on the experiences of someone from your own family, what would you write about and why?

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