Introduction

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles is the feel-good novel we need right now.” —The Washington Post

“[An] enormously entertaining and lovable book.” —Nick Hornby, New York Times Book Review

A bold, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartwarming story about one young woman’s attempt to navigate adulthood, new motherhood, and her meager bank account in our increasingly online world—from the PEN/Faulkner finalist and critically acclaimed author of The Knockout Queen.

As the child of a Hooters waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, Margo Millet's always known she’d have to make it on her own. So she enrolls at her local junior college, even though she can’t imagine how she’ll ever make a living. She’s still figuring things out and never planned to have an affair with her English professor—and while the affair is brief, it isn’t brief enough to keep her from getting pregnant. Despite everyone’s advice, she decides to keep the baby, mostly out of naiveté and a yearning for something bigger.

Now, at twenty, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. She needs a cash infusion—fast. When her estranged father, Jinx, shows up on her doorstep and asks to move in with her, she agrees in exchange for help with childcare. Then Margo begins to form a plan: she’ll start an OnlyFans as an experiment, and soon finds herself adapting some of Jinx’s advice from the world of wrestling. Like how to craft a compelling character and make your audience fall in love with you. Before she knows it, she’s turned it into a runaway success. Could this be the answer to all of Margo’s problems, or does internet fame come with too high a price?

Blisteringly funny and filled with sharp insight, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a tender tale starring an endearing young heroine who’s struggling to wrest money and power from a world that has little interest in giving it to her. It’s a playful and honest examination of the art of storytelling and controlling your own narrative, and an empowering portrait of coming into your own, both online and off.

“A wholly original novel. . . . Thorpe is both poetic and profound in the way she brings her remarkable story to an end.” —The Associated Press

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Discussion Questions

From the publisher:

1. What was your initial reaction to Margo's decision to keep her baby despite everyone warning her it would "ruin her life"? How did your perspective on her choice evolve throughout the book?

2. The author uses an unconventional narrative style, switching between first and third-person perspectives. Why do you think the author choose to do this, and what was the impact on you as a reader?

3. Discuss the complex relationship between Margo and her father, Jinx. How does their shared experience with addiction and recovery shape their bond?

4. How does Margo's relationship with her mother influence her own approach to motherhood? What patterns does she try to break or unknowingly repeat?

5. The book tackles the stigma around sex work and online content creation. How does Margo's journey challenge or reinforce your own perspectives on these topics?

6. What does the book suggest about society's treatment of single mothers? How does Margo's experience highlight systemic issues in childcare and support systems?

7. Discuss the role of social media and internet culture in the novel. How does it both empower and complicate Margo's situation?

8. How does Margo's understanding of love evolve throughout the story? Consider her quote: "Love was not something, I realized, that came to you from outside."

9. The author employs humor even while dealing with serious topics. How does this balance of tone affect the story's impact?

10. Consider the wrestling metaphors and advice from Jinx. How do these elements contribute to the larger themes of the novel?

11. What did you think of the ending? Do you find it satisfying or realistic given Margo's character development?

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