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Overall, what did you think of Won’t Be Long Now? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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10
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26
|
April 24, 2026
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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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3
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7
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April 23, 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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17
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36
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April 23, 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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8
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23
|
April 23, 2026
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What do you understand Billie to mean when she says that people's words sometimes "echo" in her mind? Have you (or someone you know) ever had an experience like this?
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1
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6
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April 23, 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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8
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20
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April 23, 2026
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What role do you think the woman Billie meets at the Garden of Eden plays in the story? As off-putting as she is, why do you think Billie is drawn to her?
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1
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4
|
April 23, 2026
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Billie’s mother insists that she can stand pain if she makes up her mind to (“You could stand anything for a minute, an hour a day…”) What did you think of this? How did this philosophy help or hurt Billie?
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1
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4
|
April 23, 2026
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What did you think of the relationship between Billie and her mother? How do Billie's feelings about her mother change over the course of the novel? Does Dixie go through a similar change?
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1
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5
|
April 23, 2026
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Billie refuses to attend important rituals, like her graduation ceremony or funerals. Why do you suppose this is? Her mother tells her she'll regret it later. Does she? What's your opinion about such rituals?
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1
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6
|
April 23, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Aphrodite in Pieces? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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|
13
|
48
|
April 23, 2026
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What did you make of Billie’s awareness of a rage inside her that she first calls The Thing, later Charlotte? She wonders if there’s a Charlotte or something like a Charlotte in everyone’s life, but that people just don’t talk about it. What do you think?
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2
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6
|
April 23, 2026
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Billie's feelings about Joan are complicated. What aspects of Billie's life play into that relationship? What did you think about Joan's treatment of Billie?
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6
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19
|
April 23, 2026
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How do you think Billie's life would have turned out if her father had lived?
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7
|
14
|
April 23, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of A Crown of Stars? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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|
37
|
159
|
April 23, 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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1
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4
|
April 23, 2026
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What strengths do you feel Mebel possesses at the start of her story? How do you think her career choice enhances these strengths? Does it help her develop new ones? Did your opinion of her change from the start of the book to its conclusion?
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1
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3
|
April 23, 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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4
|
11
|
April 23, 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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8
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22
|
April 23, 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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7
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18
|
April 23, 2026
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Aphrodite accuses the Graces of trying to “force happiness,” but Aglaia responds, “We don’t force happiness…we find it.” (p.100). What do you think she means?
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8
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23
|
April 23, 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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12
|
32
|
April 23, 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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9
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23
|
April 23, 2026
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|
If you were making a movie of Aphrodite in Pieces, who would you cast as the leads?
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13
|
22
|
April 23, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Aphrodite in Pieces? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
12
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30
|
April 23, 2026
|
|
Mebel thinks that “The more power and money [powerful men] amass, the more fragile their egos become.” (p. 262). What do you feel about this statement? Is it accurate?
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0
|
1
|
April 23, 2026
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Had you heard the term CHIP before? What did you think of Mebel giving herself this label? Why do you think she’s proud of being a CHIP at the book’s start? Do you think she still considers herself a CHIP by the end of the book?
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0
|
1
|
April 23, 2026
|
|
Which of the plot twists did you see coming, and which surprised you the most?
|
|
24
|
109
|
April 22, 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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|
6
|
22
|
April 22, 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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5
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21
|
April 22, 2026
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