Untamed

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Doyle describes her “Knowing” as an internal compass that guided her major life decisions. Think about a time when you had to choose between your inner voice and external expectations. How did you navigate that tension?

2. The author discusses various “memos” women receive from society about how to behave, look, and live. Did this discussion resonate with you?

3. Throughout the memoir, Doyle explores the concept of “unbecoming”—shedding societal conditioning to discover one’s authentic self. What aspects of your own conditioning have you questioned or challenged?

4. How do you relate to Doyle’s exploration of control in relationships? Have you experienced similar struggles balancing control and trust?

5. The memoir examines the age of 10 as a pivotal moment when many children begin to lose their “wild.” Do you agree? What memories do you have of your own transition from childhood freedom to social awareness?

Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and ethical dilemmas.

1. How does Doyle’s discussion of racism and privilege reflect larger conversations about white women’s role in social justice movements?

2. The memoir challenges traditional notions of family structure and co-parenting. How do these ideas resonate with evolving definitions of family in contemporary society?

3. What does Doyle’s journey reveal about society’s changing attitudes toward sexuality, gender roles, and religious institutions?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and use of narrative techniques.

1. How does Doyle use the metaphor of “cages” throughout the book to develop her larger themes about freedom and authenticity?

2. Examine the significance of the memoir’s three-part structure: “Caged,” “Keys,” and “Free.” How does this organization reflect the author’s personal transformation?

3. What role does Doyle’s daughter Tish play as both a character and a symbol throughout the narrative?

4. How does the author’s use of short, episodic chapters contribute to or detract from the book’s overall impact?

5. Consider the recurring imagery of fire and burning throughout the memoir. How does this motif connect to Doyle’s larger themes about transformation and rebirth?