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In the prologue, the woman we learn is Celia’s granddaughter says that she’s been shaped by “not just those on the branches of my family tree but also by their stories.” How do you think our forebears’ stories shape us?
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8
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98
|
September 3, 2025
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Were you already familiar with the Shanghai Tunnels and the practice of being crimped or “shanghaied”? What is the most interesting thing you learned about the topic?
|
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10
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117
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September 3, 2025
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During a run-in with Celia, Abigail claims she can relate to Celia’s romantic plight but she fails to expound. What do you imagine her experience might have been, and how does her sense of commonality with Celia ultimately affect their relationship?
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8
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97
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September 3, 2025
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Mrs. Downey thinks it would be best for Celia to give up her baby but Celia refuses. What did you think of this decision? What about her choice later, when she refuses the offer of financial support? What would you have done in these circumstances?
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13
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116
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September 3, 2025
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Celia has the opportunity to torpedo the mayor’s career but she chooses not to. Why do you suppose she refrained? What do you think the consequences might have been if she’d proceeded? What do you think you might have done in her place?
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16
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118
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September 3, 2025
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Motherhood is a central element of the story, with a range of emotions. By the end, Celia comes to view her mother’s behavior differently upon reflection. Can you relate to a similar shift of perspective involving family or other loved ones?
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5
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80
|
September 3, 2025
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Celia’s journey entails numerous twists and turns. Were there any you found especially surprising?
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13
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158
|
September 3, 2025
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Nature and our connection with the natural world play a central role in the book. Which scenes and events captured the sense of the prairie the most vividly for you?
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9
|
133
|
September 3, 2025
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Have you traveled to China or Taiwan? If so, what were some interesting experiences or observations that you encountered? If not, would you like to vacation there if you had the opportunity?
|
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17
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233
|
September 3, 2025
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Martha and her daughters spend much of the novel immersed in everyday household labor such as making candles, baking bread, weaving, and killing chickens. Were there any 1780s tasks you've tried or would be interested to try for yourself?
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16
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231
|
September 3, 2025
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What influence does Mr. Morton have on the couple's situation? Do you think his actions are designed to bring them together, or is he acting completely without motive?
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7
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97
|
September 3, 2025
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Evelyn tells Bessie she thinks life would be simpler if people said what they thought more often, although Bessie disagrees (p. 4). What do you feel about this statement? Which woman do you agree with?
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6
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87
|
September 3, 2025
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What are your first impressions of Evelyn? Does she feel relatable to a modern reader?
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7
|
101
|
September 3, 2025
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Do you think that Evelyn could have handled Lady Violet differently?
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11
|
110
|
September 3, 2025
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Arthur tells Ash he thinks “the whole point of a book club is to read things you wouldn’t normally.” (p. 71). Do you agree with him? If you’re in a book club, do you feel it encourages you to read outside your comfort zone?
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26
|
229
|
September 3, 2025
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What did you think about Evelyn's and William's first meeting? Did you sense an attraction between them?
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6
|
118
|
September 3, 2025
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William tells Evelyn, “The longer you go without seeing someone, the harder it is to remember why you were so angry with them…” (p. 185). Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
|
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10
|
115
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Is Nathaniel truly drawn to Evelyn, or do you think he is just trying to get Lady Violet's attention and playing her at her own game?
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10
|
128
|
September 3, 2025
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What did you think about William's personality and the way he interacts with Evelyn in the first part of the book? Are his actions and manner justified by his circumstances?
|
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6
|
132
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Adelaide tells Emily that fear is a temporary thing. “Face it, and it doesn’t exist anymore. Turn away from it and it’ll haunt you forever.” (p.215). What do you think she means? Do you agree?
|
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10
|
100
|
September 3, 2025
|
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How does Evelyn's' relationship with her mother develop over the book, and what are the strongest factors that influence it?
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5
|
118
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Phyllis likes to pick a random stranger and make observations about them. What did you think of this hobby? How often do you think her observations were productive, and when did they lead her astray? Have you ever done something similar?
|
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10
|
90
|
September 3, 2025
|
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At several points throughout the novel Nova recalls her father saying, “No one writes books about characters who sit around waiting for life to happen to them.” What do you think he was trying to convey to her? Do you agree with him?
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|
11
|
136
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Before Dorothy imagines Emily Gale as a young woman embarking on a new life on the Kansas prairies. How did you respond to her, and what surprised you the most about the challenges she and Henry face as they establish their new life in Kansas?
|
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10
|
136
|
September 3, 2025
|
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What did you think of the treasure hunts Vincent had first Poppy and then Olivia undertake? Have you ever done something similar?
|
|
18
|
151
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Poppy claims that film doesn’t lie “like memories do.” Is this true? Are there more accuracies in film, or can film be as misleading as memories?
|
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19
|
219
|
September 3, 2025
|
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In an exchange with her mother, Evelyn expresses an unwillingness to trust others (“I do not want to place my belief in someone and then be forced to watch as they lead me over a cliff edge,” p. 14). How does this lack of trust impact her life?
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6
|
85
|
September 3, 2025
|
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To what audience would you recommend The Lamplighter’s Bookshop? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
16
|
178
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Were you surprised at how involved the publishing process is?
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|
18
|
146
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Would you ever want to be a ghostwriter—doing the work in the background but never acknowledged—or do you prefer to be the star?
|
|
23
|
228
|
September 3, 2025
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