Ties That Bind Book Club Questions
Warning! These Questions Contain Spoilers!
1. Ellen and Oliver’s marriage is built on secrets and hidden motives. At what point do you think their relationship was beyond saving? Was there ever a moment where things could have turned out differently?
2. Ellen’s desperation to have a child plays a major role in her decisions. Do you think she would have gone to such extreme lengths if Oliver had been able to have children with her? Or was something deeper at play?
3. Anthony appears to be a catalyst for destruction, but do you think Ellen was already on a dangerous path before he came into her life? How much do you think his influence shaped her actions?
4. Ellen’s letter reveals shocking confessions, including her involvement in Oliver’s mother’s murder. Do you think Ellen truly regrets her actions, or is she simply trying to justify them? Can her Post-partum Psychosis fully explain her crimes?
5. How does wealth and class play into the novel? Oliver was "born with a silver spoon," whereas Ellen had to fight for everything. Do you think their financial imbalance played a role in their toxic relationship?
6. Oliver’s ex-wife is a surprising source of stability for him. How do you think their co-parenting relationship affects the story? What does this say about the contrast between his first and second marriages?
7. The letter offers a rare glimpse into Ellen’s mindset. Did your perception of her change after reading it? Did you feel any sympathy for her by the end?
8. Ellen describes hearing voices that influenced her actions. How much do you think mental illness contributed to her crimes, and how much of it was her own free will? Should she be punished in the same way as someone without mental illness?
9. The title Ties That Bind suggests strong emotional or psychological connections. What do you think it refers to most—Ellen’s attachment to motherhood, her toxic relationship with Anthony, or something else?
10. The novel’s ending leaves some uncertainty about Ellen’s future. If you were Oliver, would you ever allow her back into the twins’ lives? Why or why not?