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After WWII, when men returned to their jobs, what encouraged women to accept their place as only in the home? And why, in today's world, when women are in the workforce in record numbers, are they still doing most of the housework and child-raising?
|
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5
|
164
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Can friendships sometimes provide family better than family itself? Walter isn't Amanda's biological father, but he loves her fully. On the other hand, Avery Parker still loves the son she never knew. How do you define family?
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3
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44
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Elizabeth refuses to marry Calvin. What did you think of her decision here? How would her life have been different if they’d married?
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9
|
129
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Overall, what did you think of The Husbands? (no spoilers, please!)
|
|
37
|
349
|
May 12, 2025
|
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Elizabeth tells Harriet she worries that introversion could be a gene mutation, and that both she & Calvin could be carriers (p. 167). Do you think Madeline was an introvert? Do you feel this is an inherited or learned trait?
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5
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53
|
June 23, 2025
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Elizabeth tells her audience that “Courage is the root of change–and change is what we’re chemically designed to do…When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.” Did you find this inspiring and if so, in what ways?
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3
|
35
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Overall, what did you think of The River Knows Your Name? (no spoilers, please!)
|
|
36
|
535
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
What did you think of Hazel and the actions she took regarding two-year-old Evie? Do you feel she followed the correct course of action? What would you have done in her place?
|
|
20
|
149
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Nell and Evie are reluctant to ask Hazel any questions about their past. Why do you suppose this is? In their place, would you have pushed Hazel for answers or avoided the subject?
|
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12
|
116
|
June 23, 2025
|
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What’s your opinion of Becca’s living arrangements in Nachez? Would you have stayed once you knew more about the residence?
|
|
19
|
153
|
June 23, 2025
|
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When Mildred first reaches out, her intentions are unclear. In Becca's circumstances, would you have made a decision to seek help from her?
|
|
22
|
198
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
To what audience would you recommend The River Knows Your Name? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
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14
|
143
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Is it possible for a white screenwriter or director to authentically capture a Black person’s experiences? Is it possible for a white audience to determine when a film is a realistic portrayal of a Black person’s life or will bias always stand in the way?
|
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12
|
137
|
June 23, 2025
|
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Do you feel Baldwin wrote his essays with a specific audience in mind? Who do you think he is addressing, if so?
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5
|
90
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
What did you learn from The Devil Finds Work? What surprised you the most?
|
|
14
|
210
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Which character, major or minor, did you like the most, which did you like the least, and why?
|
|
15
|
106
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Baldwin states on page 35, “It is said that the camera cannot lie, but rarely do we allow it to do anything else. . . The language of the camera is the language of our dreams.” What do you think he means?
|
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9
|
114
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Lottie does not reveal her illness to Becca, as she wants Becca to be free to establish a new life with Ben. Do you think that was a good decision? What would you have done in her position?
|
|
16
|
150
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Overall, what did you think of A Map to Paradise? (no spoilers, please!)
|
|
55
|
723
|
May 12, 2025
|
|
What woman in today's world could do the kind of ground-breaking that Francis Perkins did in her time?
|
|
7
|
150
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Madame Moreau is at first very cool to Edie but welcomes her into her home after Edie discovers the truth about the bakery. What is it about Edie’s response to the situation, do you feel, that elicits this change?
|
|
7
|
104
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Several times in her first few days at the bakery Edie thinks she should return home. Why does she stay, do you believe?
|
|
10
|
126
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
If The Frozen River was adapted for film or television, who would you cast in the leading roles? Are there any components of the story you think would be especially striking to see acted out on screen?
|
|
10
|
2161
|
September 3, 2025
|
|
Nick recruits Matthew in a scheme to thwart Levi's plans for the startup company. What has Nick learned from his own conception and experiences with Big Pharma that influenced this choice?
|
|
6
|
61
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Lily and Nick each experience presuppositions and microaggressions about their identities based on how they look. In what ways do these presuppositions clash with how they perceive themselves? What do you think Khong is saying regarding "Americanness"?
|
|
8
|
63
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
Lily was raised as an American without much knowledge of Chinese culture. In what ways does she yearn for a greater understanding of her heritage? Do you come from a specific cultural heritage, and if so, how much were educated about it as a child?
|
|
9
|
121
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
What audience would you recommend Real Americans to? Is there another book or author you’d recommend that you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
12
|
186
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
What differences did you see between Nick's and Sam's upbringings? In what ways does Sam represent the opposite of what Lily and Matthew wanted for Nick? Do you believe Nick sees Sam as the person he would have been if his parents had stayed together?
|
|
11
|
105
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
A running occurrence in this book involves secrets and lies that, although well intentioned, cause fault lines between family members. Where in the book do you see that trying to manufacture a perfect life leads to deep rifts between parent and child?
|
|
9
|
99
|
June 23, 2025
|
|
How does the title of the book reflect on real Americans?
|
|
16
|
253
|
June 23, 2025
|