The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir

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

1. Griffin reflects on the role of fame in his family’s life and how it impacted multiple family members in different ways, including himself. What have been similar driving forces in your own life that have significantly shaped your identity and self-concept?

2. The Dunne family dynamics were multi-layered and complex but ultimately rested on a strong foundation of love and support for each other; different members achieved forgiveness and reconciliation with each other over the course of the events described in the memoir. What has been your experience with forgiving a family member who has hurt you? Was it achievable or easy? What facilitated it? If forgiveness has been difficult in a particular relationship, what do you think has stood in the way of achieving it?

3. Of all the childhood and adolescent exploits that Griffin details in the book, which one did you most enjoy or connect to, and why? Do you have any stories of your own that mirror some of these escapades?

4. Following Dominique’s death, Nick achieved unexpected fame through his article about this tragedy and Sweeney’s trial; this was something that Griffin, while happy for his father, continually felt uncomfortable with. How do you feel about Nick’s decision to publicly write and speak about Dominique’s death? Do you sympathize with Griffin, understand Nick’s stance, or have an entirely different take on the situation?

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

1. Griffin explores different aspects of the pursuit of justice in context of Dominique’s murder and Sweeney’s subsequent trial. What do his observations reveal about the limitations of the justice system? What is your opinion on the role of punitive versus restorative approaches to justice?

2. The Friday Afternoon Club is filled with anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of a particular era in Hollywood. What do these anecdotes tell you about the prevalent attitudes in the industry during this time, especially toward women and LGBTQ+ people?

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

1. Nick and Griffin underwent journeys of self-improvement and growth over the course of the events described in the memoir, and even Alex showed some development as a figure. Lenny and Dominique, however, remained consistent, according to Griffin’s portrayals of them. How do you feel about Griffin’s representation of the women in his family? Do they seem limited and incomplete, or are their portrayals relatable and justified?

2. Despite being a member of the Dunne family himself and having achieved fame and success within Hollywood, Griffin still presents an outsider’s perspective on this world at different points in the book. What combination of life experiences and narrative techniques enable this unique perspective?

3. The book derives its title from the Friday afternoon gatherings at Lenny and Dominique’s home, a tradition initiated by Dominique, and is replete with symbolism. Do you think this is a fitting title for the book? Does it appropriately encapsulate the themes and ideas explored in the book, or are there important aspects of the book that it ignores? What other important symbols or motifs did you encounter in the book?

4. Discuss how the book showcases the interplay between personal experiences and broader cultural contexts. How does the latter influence the former for each of the different Dunnes and their extended family and friends who feature in the memoir?