Humorous, warm-hearted, and charmingly bittersweet, History is the debut novel by actor, comedian and writer Miles Jupp, who will be familiar to fans of Balamory, The Durrells, and comedy panel shows like Would I Lie To You? and Have I Got News for You.

Though it has a very readable, immediately engaging style, and many funny moments, the novel’s exploration of a history teacher’s life, and its apparent disintegration, provokes deeper thought and questions around modern family life, marriage, work-life balance, and midlife unravelling - meaty themes that make it ideal to discuss at book groups. While we’re sure you’ll have plenty to talk about, here are some questions to kick-off your chat about this thoughtful, funny novel.

1. “You’re the ones who can change. Of all the people in life to copy, why choose the loud, mindless idiots? When you’re allowed to be different? When you can choose to be better people?” What’s the relevance of this outburst Clive makes near the beginning of the novel? Does he practice as he preaches?

2. “You show too much willing for too little reward. You should start showing some resistance. I would hate to think you’re going soft.”

I’m practically liquid, Clive thought.

Do you agree with Helen’s assessment of her husband? And is Clive right to think he’s “practically liquid”?

3. “Just dive!” Helen called up to her husband teetering anxiously on the edge of the drop. “You can do it!”

Could this line be said to represent the dynamics between Clive and Helen? Did you feel sorry for Clive? Did you empathise with Helen? 

4. “It was the job. He was sure of it. That was the cause of all their problems.” Do you agree with Clive’s assessment of his marriage problems? 

5. “We all feel sorry for you Clive, said Helen. “Just not as much as you feel sorry for yourself.” Do you agree? Do you think Clive is self-pitying? Is Helen being harsh here?

6. What does Frampton School reveal about Englishness and private education? For instance, the headmaster warns Clive not to remind pupils that they pay fees (“Doesn’t do to remind them of it. It’s best disregarded”), and Clive later comments that the pupils “wander around the place thinking that they really matter…that they’re really special people.”

7. “Do you ever think you should just try and enjoy life, Clive?” new teacher Flora asks of him. Do you think he enjoys life? If not now, do you think he will come to? And what role does Flora play in his journey?

8. How does the author achieve a balance between humour and the pathos of Clive’s situation?

9. What’s the turning point in Clive’s journey?

10. How broken is Clive and Helen’s relationship? Do you think they’re experiencing a minor bump in the road, or something bigger?

11. Were you surprised by Clive’s speech at the prize-giving ceremony? Were you surprised by the novel’s ending? How did it make you feel? What do you think he’s about to do? What path do you think his life might take further down the road?

12. What did you think of the title?

13. Who would you recommend History to? Do any authors or novels come to mind as comparisons?

In case you missed them, here are our previous Book Club Recommendations - each with a set of questions to kick-start your discussions:

September 2020: Here is the Beehive by Sarah Crossan

October 2020: Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

November 2020: The Illustrated Child by Polly Crosby

December 2020: Leave The World Behind by Rumaan Alam

January 2021: Victoria Park by Gemma Reeves

February 2021: Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden

March 2021: Barn Club by Robert J Somerville

April 2021: Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

May 2021: The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson

June 2021: Erringby by Gill Darling

July 2021: Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

August 2021: Daylight Come by Diana McCaulay

If you want even more book club recommendations, browse our selection here.