The Candy House
by Jennifer Egan
About_
This study guide accompanies Jennifer Egan’s The Candy House, a novel told through interconnected narrators
whose lives are shaped by a technology that allows people to upload and share their memories. Spanning multiple
generations and perspectives, the book explores themes of authenticity, privacy, addiction, and human connection
in a world reshaped by digital consciousness. This guide is organized around the novel’s major chapter groupings
and includes comprehension checks, discussion prompts, and enrichment activities. This study guide contains 65
questions across 5 chapter sections (50 Factual + 15 Critical), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus
Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 5 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (50 total), 5 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (15 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 11-12 (AP/College Intro Literature)
Teacher Note_
This guide is designed to help students track the novel’s large, interlocking cast while pushing them toward deeper
thematic analysis of memory, privacy, and connection. The mix of factual recall and open-ended critical questions
builds both comprehension and discussion skills, saving you prep time so you can focus on guiding the
conversation