Category: Book Club Discussion Questions

Read synopsis here.

Discussion Questions:

1.Do you think that there is such a thing as a perfect murder?

2. Have you read any of the following books that was listed on Mal’s blog post Eight Perfect Murders?

• The Red House Mystery by A. A Milne (1922)
• Malice of Forethought by Anthony Burkley Cox (1931)
• The A. B. C. Murders by Agatha Christie (1936)
• Double Indemnity by James M. Cain (1943)
• Strangers On A Train by Patricia Highsmith (1950)
• The Drowner by John D. McDonald (1963)
• Deathtrap by Ira Levin (1978)
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992)

Read synopsis here.

Discussion Questions:

1.Which character’s story on the flight list did you enjoy the most? Who did you relate to the most?

2.Why did people write letters to Edward? What purpose does it have for the people left behind? Which letter did you like the most?

3. Edward said that he would not commit suicide. He said that he would not do that to the people he loves because he knows what it feels to be left behind. This part was emotionally charged and moving. What part in the book affected you strongly?

Read synopsis here.

Discussion Questions:

1. Olive, Again had many humorous parts, which part of the book did you find the most funny?

2. There were many themes in the book. One of the main themes relates to old age and the problems older people face. Did it make you more aware of what you may have to face when you reach the 70s? Did you relate to these themes?

Read synopsis here.

Discussions Questions:

1. What did you think of the main character Cassandra Bowden (Cassie)? Did you like her? Why and why not?

2. Did your like or dislike of Cassie change as the book progressed?

3. Do you think Cassie was suited to her job as a flight attendant? What aspect of her personality do you think was suited to her job? Did you think the author succeeded in depicting the life of a flight attendant?

Read synopsis here.

1.The book is told in lots of voices. Did you enjoy the numerous voices, or did you find it distracting and confusing?

2. Which character did you like the most? Why?

3. Elodie’s mother Lauren Adler was a famous cellist. She died when Elodie was young and Elodie didn’t get a chance to know her. What expectations are there on children of famous people and how does it affect them?

1.The Filipinos in the book made sacrifices for their family in the Philippines. Ate, specifically, worked and sent money back to the Philippines in order to care for her son. She sacrificed herself for her child, would you do that? Would you go to all the lengths to provide for your child if you were in her shoes?

2. The Farm had many themes such as class, family, sacrifices, motherhood, love, assimilation, immigration, gender, race, religion etc. Which theme impacted you the most? Which theme stood out?

1. How is Margie similar to her grand daughter Madeleine? What did they both want?

2. The book is written with Madeleine viewpoint in 1999 and what happened to her grandmother Margie in 1924. Did you enjoy the back and forth between the two stories in the book? Which story interested you more?

Discussion Questions:

1.Were you surprised by who the murderer was? Did you guess right?

2. Kate English and Blaire Barrington’s friendship ended because of Simon and a difference in opinions. What did you think about the friendship between Kate and Blaire? Do you think that their friendship was tenuous? Have you fallen out with a friend because of a new boyfriend/girlfriend?

3. Which character did you least like? Which character did you like?

4. Can you relate to, or identify with any of the characters?

Discussion Questions:

1.What is a definition of feminism? Who is a feminist? What does the book tell us about feminist and feminism in the 21st century?

2. Faith and Greer grew up in different eras. What has changed in their respective youths? Can you relate to the generational differences in feminism as the book progressed?

3. What did you think about Greer when she didn’t hand over the letter that Zee wrote for Faith? Was Greer selfish? Why did Greer jeopardize their friendship?

Discussion Questions:

1.Assunta Mascaro, Stella’s mother was very religious. She believed in Jesus Christ and went to mass. When Assunta went into labor with her first child, the older women of Ievoli hung mint over her bed to ward off the Evil Eye. Why do you think that the women, who believed in God, also practiced things to ward off the Evil Eye? Is there a contradiction here? How do you explain it?

2. Of Stella’s many near deaths, which one did you like the most? Why?