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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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3
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11
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April 18, 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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3
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9
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April 18, 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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5
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11
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April 18, 2026
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Were you familiar with any of the myths the author includes in the narrative? Which ones? How did the author’s versions compare to those you recall?
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1
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3
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April 18, 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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1
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5
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April 18, 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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5
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12
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April 18, 2026
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In the prologue, the premature baby is supposed be a boy. When a disappointed Hiram Strong holds his third daughter in his hands instead, he names her "Jace," which means "the Lord is salvation" and declares that she will save the family. Does she?
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12
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35
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April 18, 2026
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How does Rebecca's reluctance to speak up about Jed cause trouble? And later, with Eulalie? Discuss some of the complicating factors in her romantic relationship. What finally pushes her to risk giving voice to her own wants and desires?
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6
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19
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April 17, 2026
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Lidy believes "the lot of women isn't right"—specifically that undesired pregnancies disproportionately affects females. This situation plays out repeatedly over the course of the novel. Do you agree? Or is hers a sentiment and symptom of the era?
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16
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41
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April 17, 2026
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Shine is both starry-eyed and fearful of her first famous customer at the bar, Al Capone. She believes they are both "willing to do whatever it took to survive and keep their families safe." Do you agree? Does Shine discover a line she won't cross?
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8
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24
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April 17, 2026
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Elsie craves a "happily ever after." How does this impact her choices about motherhood and marriage? Eventually she comes to understand that she is stronger than she knew. Do you agree that sometimes we just need to "rescue [our] own damn self"?
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12
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37
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April 17, 2026
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Shine is bent on revenge but is continually thwarted. But when she finally has a chance to exact some justice she balks. Later, she muses that mercy & forgiveness are more complicated. How does this shift allow her to move forward?
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6
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17
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April 17, 2026
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John Flanagan is an idealist whose experiences reflect the arc of Prohibition. How does this "rule follower" fare with a rogue partner, mountain moonshiners and criminals? What finally jolts him out of his passivity to pursue what he really wants?
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4
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13
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April 17, 2026
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The "cow shoes" that Shine wore to cover her tracks were just one creative way that moonshiners and bootleggers kept their operations clandestine during Prohibition. Have you heard of others that you found particularly clever?
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9
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35
|
April 17, 2026
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Shine decides to "make a family like she and her daddy had made moonshine, putting together a bunch of unlikely ingredients, things that didn't come from the same place...Stir it all up and see what happened." What do you think of this metaphor?
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14
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44
|
April 17, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend The Greek House? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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13
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52
|
April 17, 2026
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Thirza loved the sound of her mother’s typewriter as a child. “The rituals that hadn’t seemed...important...had turned out to be the things that...held a family together”. Do you agree with her? Are there rituals you can point to within your own family?
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6
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22
|
April 17, 2026
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Which character do you think is most affected by the themes of envy, love and betrayal in the novel? Why?
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10
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47
|
April 17, 2026
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As the story unfolds, Thirza uncovers more about her family's past. How do the revelations about her family's history impact her relationships with other characters in the novel?
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3
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17
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April 17, 2026
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What did you think about Dulci’s and Thirza’s relationship? Why do you think the rift between them remained unhealed for so many years?
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12
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36
|
April 17, 2026
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Who did you blame for Billy’s disappearance? Why do you suppose he wasn’t found by the authorities? Did you have any theories about what happened to the boy?
|
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19
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60
|
April 17, 2026
|
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Which of the plot twists did you see coming, and which surprised you the most?
|
|
21
|
93
|
April 17, 2026
|
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How did the setting of The Greek House influence your experience of reading the novel?
|
|
14
|
60
|
April 17, 2026
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Did you enjoy the ending of the book? Where were you left in terms of your feelings?
|
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23
|
100
|
April 17, 2026
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Who did you suspect of leaving the cryptic note for Dulci, and what did you believe might be behind it?
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14
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52
|
April 17, 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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3
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9
|
April 16, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Happy Land? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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40
|
190
|
April 16, 2026
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Have you read any of Dinah Jeffries’ other books? If so, how does this one compare?
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13
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59
|
April 16, 2026
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1000 Books: What shall we read in June 2026?
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1
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25
|
April 15, 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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0
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2
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April 15, 2026
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