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Elizabeth refuses to accept limits placed on her by society and insists that others also ignore those limits. How do each of those characters ultimately rise to that challenge? And in what ways have you or others been limited by societal norms?
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4
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50
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Could Elizabeth’s story happen today? How have things changed in the work place then?
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5
|
105
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Why do you think Karl was so resistant to masculinity lessons despite identifying as a man?
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10
|
116
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Do you interpret the ending as happy, sad, bittersweet, foreboding, hopeful, or something else? Why?
|
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15
|
145
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Is there a quote or scene in The Lilac People that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
|
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10
|
153
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Hai wonders what her mother would have insisted on joining her husband in Taiwan if she hadn’t been encumbered with her children. What do you think? Would her path have been different without her daughters?
|
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11
|
103
|
September 3, 2025
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At Rennie’s Mill, the girls’ friend Biao-Wu turns down a “golden ticket” to Taiwan, opting to stay in Hong Kong instead. Do you think he made the right decision? Why or why not?
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10
|
111
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Hai says, "Sometimes, success is something that happens over the course of generations..." Why is it important for her to make this observation? Within your own family or community, have you seen examples that reflect this sentiment?
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12
|
95
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Di is often portrayed as selfish. When she’s caught stealing the Zhang family’s eggs, she defends herself saying she’s “adapting.” What do you think of her actions here and elsewhere in the book?
|
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21
|
222
|
September 3, 2025
|
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“Having a baby,” Elizabeth muses, “was a little like living with a visitor from another planet.” (p. 162). What did you think of this statement? If you have children, did this sentiment ring true, in your experience?
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4
|
86
|
June 23, 2025
|
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What are some of the most pressing injustices that continue to affect women and girls today? What do you think we can do to change them?
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12
|
140
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Hai is convinced her father knew that he was leaving his wife and daughters in Shandong with no resources or protection. What do you think his motives were? Do you think he realized how dire their situation would become?
|
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21
|
246
|
September 3, 2025
|
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Edie explores the many kinds of bread the bakery produces, later expanding their offerings to other types of treats. Do you ever bake your own bread? What’s your favorite type to make or eat? If you're a baker do you have a specialty?
|
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13
|
117
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Did you learn anything new about China’s culture or history from the novel? What surprised you?
|
|
23
|
223
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Hai's mom makes many difficult decisions. Do you think she regrets any of them? Do you think she is happy at the end of her life?
|
|
12
|
150
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
In China, the historical favoritism for boy children has led to terrible consequences for girls and to broad social issues. Are there any harmful traditions in or aspects of your own culture that affected you or people who you know?
|
|
8
|
87
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Why do you think Khong decided to write in the perspectives of these three characters? Did you notice any shifts in how they're portrayed among the different segments (e.g., how is May characterized from Lily's perspective versus how May tells her story)?
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|
13
|
107
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Madeline fills her family tree with Sojourner Truth, Amelia Earhart, and Nefertiti to point out that all humans are related. But if humans are 99.9 percent the same, why do we treat each other so differently?
|
|
8
|
100
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Wondering About Matthew
|
|
8
|
96
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Toward the end of her segment, Lily promises to give Nick what she didn't receive growing up from her parents. Based on Nick's characteristics, in what ways do you think she achieved that? What are some traits that Nick has that point to Lily's influence?
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6
|
46
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Do you think May and Otto's attempts at manipulating genetics were successful? In what ways did their attempts to prioritize Matthew's DNA succeed? What do you think Khong is trying to say here about how a person grows and develops traits?
|
|
10
|
103
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Familial relationships are important to all the characters. How do Hai's and Di's relationship with their mom evolve throughout the book? What about Hai and Di's relationship with each other?
|
|
4
|
121
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Phil tells Walter that Elizabeth isn’t relatable – but that’s a good thing. “People don’t want to see themselves on TV, they want to see the people they’ll never be on TV.” (p. 202). Do you agree with him?
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|
4
|
41
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Becca places Evie in a children’s home so she can get a nursing degree. Did you know this type of home existed in the 1930s? What did you think of her decision? Under what circumstances might you make a similar choice?
|
|
22
|
165
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Which of the films that James Baldwin mentions are you familiar with? How has your opinion of these movies changed since reading The Devil Finds Work?
|
|
19
|
227
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Evie has a condition called synesthesia where she sees and feels things in terms of color. Did this play an important part someplace in the story?
|
|
4
|
67
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Edie says, “Ever since I could remember, I’d been obsessed with the city of love.” What is it about Paris, in your opinion, that leads so many to think of it in those terms? Have you been to Paris? Would you like to go, if you had a chance?
|
|
13
|
162
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Why do you think Hugo felt compelled to help with his father’s company once his brother, Stéphane, passed away? Do you believe he had any options? What would you have done in his shoes?
|
|
14
|
144
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
To what audience would you recommend The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris? Is there another book or author you feel addresses related themes or who writes in a similar style?
|
|
10
|
139
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Harriet questions Elizabeth’s “que será, será approach to parenting.” Do you think she was truly as hands-off as Harriet supposes? What do you think of the way she raised Madeline?
|
|
5
|
75
|
June 23, 2025
|