This reading group guide for Greta & Valdin includes an introduction and discussion questions. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

Introduction

A quirky, hilarious, and moving international bestseller, Greta & Valdin follows the titular sister and brother in their (misad)ventures in love and life. Greta is mourning an unrequited crush, Valdin is still reeling from a long-past breakup, and the other members of their extended family aren’t doing much better. Over the course of the novel, the Vladisavljevics learn the power of hidden histories and the even greater power of vulnerability. They also learn, with tenderness and humor, that they are stronger together—even in the wake of racism, xenophobia, and heartbreak.

Topics & Questions for Discussion

1. Would you say that the idiosyncrasies of Greta and Valdin’s Māori-Russian-Catalonian family play an important role in the novel? In what way? How do you think the siblings’ upbringing has affected their relationship with each other and other people?

2. So much of this book is about different types of love: love for one’s land and ancestors, love between siblings, love for family, love for old and new lovers, and love for languages. We see a variety of acts of love in this novel (for example, Valdin buying Greta flowers and “extravagant” items such as limes and feta). Is there one in particular that stayed with you and/or that you feel encompasses this story?

3. Greta & Valdin is told in alternating chapters between the two siblings. What did you think of the dual perspective, and how did it influence your reading experience? Do you think it was the right choice by which to tell this story?

4. The book is set in a very hot, very hilly Auckland and features specific New Zealand social, political, and cultural references that affect Greta’s and Valdin’s lives. Did you feel like Rebecca K Reilly managed to bring New Zealand alive in the novel without alienating non-NZ readers? What did you learn about life in Auckland and/or New Zealand through this story?

5. Greta & Valdin is a rare story of queer people finding happiness in love. Why do you think the author decided to give both siblings a happy ending, albeit under very different circumstances? What does the ending mean to you in the wider context of fiction about people in their twenties navigating romantic relationships?

6. Reilly’s sharp use of humor is one of the novel’s strengths, and there are several instances in which it serves as a way for both the characters and readers to work through moments of anger, sadness, and confusion. Can you think of a moment in the book where the writing gave you comfort?

7. Greta & Valdin is a refreshing portrayal of going through life’s motions while in your twenties. Throughout the novel, the siblings navigate unrequited loves, career challenges,

an unstable housing market, and plenty of family dramas. Did you relate to any of their experiences? Is there anything that struck you as particularly universal and/or unique to this novel?

8. If you had to choose one character in the Greta & Valdin universe to have dinner with, who would it be and why?