Category: Book Club Discussion Questions

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Discussion Questions:

“I was born without a voice, one cold, overcast day in Brooklyn, New York. No one ever spoke of my condition. I did not know I was mute until years later, when I opened my mouth to ask for what I wanted and realized no one could hear me. Where I come from, voicelessness is the condition of my gender, as normal as the bosoms on a woman’s chest, as necessary as the next generation growing inside her belly. “

1. A Woman Is No Man opens up with an impactful statement about being voiceless and that being silent will save them, and to discover that years later it is false. How do you feel about that statement? Did this pique your interest and make you want to read her story?

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Discussion Questions:

1. At the beginning of the book, Meg had a creative block. As her livelihood depended on her creativeness it was very important for her to get over the block. Can you relate to her struggles? What would you have done in her position?

2. Were you surprise to find out about Reid’s secret? What did you think he was hiding from Meg?

3. Meg and Reid played games as they walked the city. Which game did you like the best? Which part of the city walk did you enjoy?

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Discussion Questions:

1.The book starts with the curtain call of Hedy’s performance at Theater an der Wien. She was given multiple bouquets of flowers from an unknown admirer and was about to decline the grandiose gesture but thought better of it. She could not afford to take chances to offend anyone. Do you think Hedy’s acceptance of the flowers was a mistake? Was this pivotal moment a fait accompli for her future?

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Discussion Questions:

1.What were your initial thoughts on Arthur Moses (aka Arthur Truluv)? How did your opinion of him change as you read the book?

2. Arthur visits his wife’s Nola grave every day. He talks to her as if she were alive. What do you think of his way of coping with grief? How does his age affect his outlook in life?

3. Arthur reads the headstones when he visits Nola at the cemetery. He imagines what the person would be like based on what is on the epigraph. Why do you think he does that? What would your epigraph say?

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Discussion Questions:

1. This Tender Land is a coming of age book that has spirituality as one of its main theme. What did you think about the spiritual path of the book? Did you find it too much? Did it put you off?

2. Were you surprised that Albert, Odie and Mose agreed to bring Emmy along with them on their escape? Did you agree with that?

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Discussion Questions:

1.The book starts off with the brutal killing of 16 members of Lydia’s family at her mother’s house for her niece’s quinceanera party. Did you think the horrific scene would set the tone for the book? How did this tragedy impact you and your reading experience?

2. In Chilpancingo, Lydia asks Sebastian’s friend Carlos for help. Carlos’ wife Meredith was reluctant to help transport Lydia and Luca on the missionary bus. Meredith is the chief organizer for the church that is hosting the missionaries from Indiana and responds with ” I also have to weigh my moral responsibility here.” What do you think about Meredith’s reluctance to help Lydia and Luca with the bus ride to Mexico city? What do you think about her moral responsibility?

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Discussion Questions:

1.What did you think of Evelyn Hugo? Did you admire or disapprove of her behavior? Why?

2. Did you find the book engaging right away, or did it take some time to engage you? Was it a page-turner?

3. Who was your favorite character? Why did you like them the most?

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Discussion Questions:

1.Alison found out that her boyfriend Will was a serial killer. He killed other women as well as her best friend Liz. Alison left the country when he was caught and confessed to being the ‘Canal Killer’. What would you do if you found out that your boyfriend was a serial killer?

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Discussion Questions:

1.What did you think of Andy at the beginning of the book? Did you think she was coddled by her mother? Did your opinion of Andy change by the end of the book?

2. Andy left New York and returned to Belle Isle when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Why did she do that? What does that show about her?

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Discussion Questions:

1.What were your initial impression of Angela? How did your opinion of her change over the course of the book?

2. What did you imagine Angela’s history would be? Did it surprise you when you found out the secret she was trying to hide?