Book Club Questions for Mantle by Romy Ash

WellRead's May 2026 selection was Mantle by Romy Ash. Deeply moving and utterly original, Mantle is a powerful novel that shows us our fate is intertwined with the people around us, and the fate of our world.

Use these discussion questions to engage with the book further, whether in a book club with friends or just on your own as you digest the story. 

Reading questions for Mantle by Romy Ash:

• Grief is a universal experience. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, or change that can’t be controlled, it’s a life changing thing that binds us humans together. Did you relate to Ursula’s grieving throughout the book?

• Let’s talk about fungi. It’s one of nature’s ultimate recyclers, decomposing organic matter to release nutrients back into the soil. They support plant life and help reduce excess carbon. Not all species are great, but the diversity is beneficial. Fungi is almost an additional character. Why do you think Ash chose to use fungi as such an important part of Mantle?

• Cooking and food is a recurring theme throughout the book. Why do you think Ash chose to make this such a big part of the story? Did you find these scenes calming or disturbing?
  

• lutruwita/Tasmania makes for a stunning backdrop to Mantle. Do you agree that the landscape was a crucial part of the story? How did its presence make you feel?

• Eco-thrillers have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Do you think this is because concerns for our planet are part of our everyday conversations – something we’re all in together? Or is it more about leaning into our fears, and heightening our anxieties? Do we find comfort in facing these scary possibilities, and big issues behind the cover of a book? Do you think our emotional investment makes these stories more thought provoking?

• Did you predict the ending? Were you satisfied or left wanting more?