The Housemaid

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• The Housemaid is a domestic psychological thriller, with numerous twists and turns throughout the plot. Were you able to foretell or predict any of the plot twists in the book? If you were, what elements clued you in to what was happening? If you weren’t, how do you think McFadden was successfully able to keep surprising you as a reader?
• What are some of the feelings that came up for you as you read the novel? Which parts of the story were most suspenseful, and why?
• What other books in this specific sub-genre have you encountered, and how does The Housemaid stack up against them? Which genre conventions does this novel utilize or subvert in a unique way?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• None of the characters in the novel are morally perfect—each one carries significant flaws, some even pathologically so. Which character do you most connect or sympathize with, and why?
• Ideas of discipline, perfection, and power are closely interlinked in the novel: Evelyn, in her role as a parent, demands perfection from her son through cruel power play masquerading as discipline, and this has a ripple effect on Andrew, Nina, and Millie’s lives. What does discipline mean to you personally? Do you think it is possible to enforce discipline without exerting some form of power?
• Nina, Millie, and Andrew all present a certain facade or persona to the world for varying reasons, and the differences between their personas and their true personalities—and the circumstances surrounding them—are exceptional and complicated. However, do you think there is a place and function for performative behavior in daily live? What justifies it? How does one draw the line between performative behavior that is functional versus harmfully deceptive?
• While all three central characters are “victims” in their own way, they also subvert the expectations of victimhood in different ways. How do you feel about the term “victim”? When do you think it is appropriate to use this label, as opposed to the term “survivor”? When a “victim” also plays the role of a perpetrator—as in the case of Andrew—how does that change your understanding or attribution of these terms?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

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

• Based on how events play out in the book, especially in Andrew and Millie’s lives, what is your perspective on the legal and justice systems? Do you think they operate truly unbiasedly? What factors can play into how consequences are meted out for different people?
• Andrew does a number of heinous things, but as the ending reveals, his behavior can be traced back to his own experiences of trauma and abuse. In this context, what is your opinion on the benefits and drawbacks of punitive justice versus restorative justice in cases of violent crime?

4. Literary Analysis

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

• What is the novel’s stance on the interaction of sex and class in social hierarchy? How do each of the central characters—Nina, Millie, and Andrew—as well as Enzo, facilitate the exploration of these ideas?
• The room in the attic and the white dresses are used as both narrative and thematic devices. Discuss how McFadden imbues them with greater symbolism while also using them as plot devices. What other elements carry out these dual functions in the novel?
• Despite the initial impression Andrew creates, he is eventually revealed to be the true villain of the story. How and why would you characterize Millie and Nina similarly? Are they protagonists, anti-heroes, or something else altogether?
• Millie and Nina both being unreliable narrators contributes to the pacing and suspense in the novel. How does McFadden use their voices to also shape the reader’s perspective on events? What ideas or themes are emphasized through this narrative choice?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• In 2024, Lionsgate announced a film adaptation of the novel. If you were to direct this film, what changes or edits, big or small, would you make to the original story while translating it into a visual medium?
• The Housemaid has two sequels, published in 2023 and 2024 respectively, both of which continue to follow Millie’s life. How do you think McFadden keeps the suspense alive in these books while staying true to the original premise?

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