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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
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33
|
April 30, 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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11
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34
|
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
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54
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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
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30
|
April 30, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Aphrodite in Pieces? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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20
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81
|
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
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44
|
April 30, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend Aphrodite in Pieces? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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15
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46
|
April 30, 2026
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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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6
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23
|
April 30, 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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3
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13
|
April 29, 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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5
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24
|
April 29, 2026
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Have you read Elizabeth Hardinger’s earlier novel, All the Forgiveness? If so, how does it compare to Won’t Be Long Now?
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6
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20
|
April 29, 2026
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Mebel discovers that cooking provides a “sense of peace” and that it calms “the usual cacophony of noises” in her mind. (p. 107). Does this ring true for you? Are there activities you engage in that clear your head in a similar manner?
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11
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29
|
April 29, 2026
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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
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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
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13
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
Mebel tries to integrate with other students at lunch. (p 66, 68-70). What did you think of her technique? Were you surprised at the other students’ reactions?
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4
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10
|
April 29, 2026
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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
|
11
|
April 29, 2026
|
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Baker tells others that she feels the Colony is better for the women than sending them to prison. Do you think this is true?
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14
|
49
|
April 29, 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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4
|
11
|
April 29, 2026
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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
|
12
|
April 29, 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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4
|
14
|
April 29, 2026
|
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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
|
22
|
April 29, 2026
|
|
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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|
15
|
49
|
April 28, 2026
|
|
Posters and graphics from the era
|
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3
|
9
|
April 28, 2026
|
|
Billie tests at the level of genius and reads a thick dictionary for pleasure, and yet she is naïve about some things— for example, she thinks that the Garden of Eden is the actual location where Adam and Eve once walked. How do you reconcile these two?
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9
|
28
|
April 28, 2026
|
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Which of the plot twists did you see coming, and which surprised you the most?
|
|
25
|
118
|
April 28, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of The Greek House? (No spoilers, please!)
|
|
28
|
150
|
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?
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|
5
|
21
|
April 27, 2026
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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
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34
|
April 26, 2026
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Henk, Mebel’s son Sammy, and Sammy’s wife Hannah surprise Mebel by turning up in England to ask her to come back home. She refuses. How did you react to this scene? Of the adults present whose reaction surprised you the most?
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6
|
17
|
April 26, 2026
|
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When Mebel and Alain begin their affair, both are still married but living separately from their spouses. What was your opinion of Alain, and of their relationship? Did you suspect his true character before Gemma spilled the beans?
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9
|
22
|
April 26, 2026
|