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How do you think Billie's life would have turned out if her father had lived?
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21
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72
|
May 4, 2026
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Why Do Men Go to War?
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4
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31
|
May 4, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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6
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24
|
May 3, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Aphrodite in Pieces? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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23
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94
|
May 3, 2026
|
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The only god that truly befriends Aphrodite is Apollo. Why do you believe so few of the gods show sympathy for her?
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16
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63
|
May 3, 2026
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Other than the main characters Aphrodite and Ares, which emerged as your favorites? Were there any that you despised?
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11
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46
|
May 3, 2026
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What did you think of the novel’s post-Troy ending? Did you enjoy the way the various threads wrapped up? Would you have liked to have seen a different ending for any of the characters?
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12
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45
|
May 2, 2026
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Which scene in the book was your favorite? Were there any passages or quotes you highlighted, and if so, which ones?
|
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14
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53
|
May 2, 2026
|
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As he’s designing his statue of Aphrodite, Alexandros struggles with what to put in her hands. Did you have any thoughts as you were reading as to what would be appropriate? What do you feel about his final choice?
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3
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11
|
April 30, 2026
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Ares leaves Aphrodite after the couple is discovered. Do you think he should have stood by her, defying Zeus, or did he do the right thing by ending the relationship?
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10
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29
|
April 30, 2026
|
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What did you know about Aphrodite and what was your opinion of her before reading Aphrodite in Pieces? Did your feelings about her change over the course of the novel?
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9
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40
|
April 30, 2026
|
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What was your opinion of the relationship between Ares and Aphrodite? Why were they so attracted to each other, and what kept drawing them back together even after each had caused the other so much pain?
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12
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34
|
April 30, 2026
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Paris tells Aphrodite that he’s loved Helen since they were children. He asks her, “Can first love be real? Is it childish to think the first hand I held could be the one I will hold until the end of days?” What do you think about this statement?
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6
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18
|
April 30, 2026
|
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Hera betrays Aphrodite several times throughout the novel, even after Aphrodite helps her seduce Zeus. Why do you suppose this is?
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|
11
|
41
|
April 30, 2026
|
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Did you blame Aphrodite for cheating on her husband, Hephaestus, or do you think her actions were justified? He later traps her in bed with Ares and exposes the couple’s affair (pp 142-148). Do you think their punishment was fitting?
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24
|
57
|
April 30, 2026
|
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When Aphrodite complains about Alexandros’s housekeeping, he responds, “I haven’t the time to maintain it.” She replies, “We make time for the things we truly want, don’t we?” (p. 65) Do you agree with her?
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7
|
31
|
April 30, 2026
|
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Aglaia, one of the Graces, tells Aphrodite that “War is desire made bloody.” (p. 20) What do you feel she means? Do you believe she’s correct?
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|
13
|
50
|
April 30, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Aphrodite in Pieces? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
15
|
51
|
April 30, 2026
|
|
The misspelling of her name is a big deal to Mebel, because she feels it marks her as a non-English speaker. Is she correct in her assessment about how the English-speaking world views those who don’t speak the language?
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7
|
17
|
April 29, 2026
|
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Were you surprised Agatha didn’t come forward sooner regarding what she knew of Alain’s behavior? Why do you suppose she kept his character secret?
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3
|
16
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
Gemma calls Mebel “Mebs” and at first Mebel is offended because she's used to “elders [being] treated with reverence.” (p. 99). Does Mebel receive the appropriate deference in class? How do you think her age helps or hurts her at the cooking school?
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4
|
12
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
Baker tells others that she feels the Colony is better for the women than sending them to prison. Do you think this is true?
|
|
14
|
50
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
At the end of her first week of classes, Chef Clarke advises Mebel to drop out because she doesn’t “have what it takes to be a chef.” (pp. 88-90). What did you think of this scene? Do you feel he was trying to be kind? What about Mebel’s response?
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|
4
|
11
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
Mebel ponders her relationship with Henk, feeling that she may have been overconfident in her assessment of her position. Do you feel she took their relationship for granted? Is there was anything she could have done to prevent Henk from leaving?
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|
3
|
13
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
Why do you think Mebel is so intent on winning Henk back? What did you feel about her choice of how to go about it?
|
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5
|
26
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
Posters and graphics from the era
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3
|
13
|
April 28, 2026
|
|
Which of the plot twists did you see coming, and which surprised you the most?
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|
25
|
123
|
April 28, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of The Greek House? (No spoilers, please!)
|
|
28
|
154
|
April 28, 2026
|
|
What did you think of the author’s interpretation of Aphrodite and the other gods? Did any of her characterizations surprise you? How would you characterize Aphrodite?
|
|
5
|
25
|
April 27, 2026
|
|
Have you read either of Lauren J.A. Bear’s previous novels, Medusa’s Sisters or Mother of Rome? If so, how do they compare to Aphrodite in Pieces?
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8
|
37
|
April 26, 2026
|