Joyland

The story really concerns Devin’s coming-of-age, but Annie undergoes a delayed coming-of-age as well. Discuss the themes and symbols in the story from Annie’s point of view.

Compare the hard-boiled detective elements of Joyland with some examples that might be more typical of the detective genre, like the work of Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler.

Mr. Easterbrook tells the new hires that they have the privilege of selling happiness. Discuss the theme of selling happiness. Is there irony in the idea? Can happiness actually be bought and sold?

Coming-of-age stories often take place in a magical world set apart from the ordinary one. Other examples include Toyland—both the German and the Pinocchio versions—Neverland, Narnia, or the woods in Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” Are there other examples? How does Joyland compare to those other examples?

Older Devin’s dreams and plans as a writer haven’t come to pass. Do you think he feels regret for that? He still has time to pursue that dream. Do you think he will?

Would you agree that Linda Gray is symbolic of death and rebirth, or do you think she represents something else? If so, what?

What do you think of the blending of genres? Do you think it works? How do the hard-boiled elements balance the ghost story and the coming-of-age story?

When Erin visits the park, she describes Devin as having grown up while she and Tom have remained children in Never Never Land. Devin sees it as the other way around. Who do you think is correct? Why? Or compare both perspectives and show how they are both right.

Annie’s rescuing Devin at the climax of the story could be seen as a deus ex machina (an act of God). Does that scene seem believable? Devin doesn’t rescue himself. What did Devin do to earn his salvation?