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About the Aphrodite in Pieces by Lauren J. A. Bear category
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1
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28
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July 2, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of Aphrodite in Pieces? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
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28
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205
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July 2, 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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26
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116
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July 2, 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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22
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168
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July 2, 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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21
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137
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July 2, 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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17
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95
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July 2, 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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16
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101
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July 2, 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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16
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98
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July 2, 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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15
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103
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July 2, 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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15
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143
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July 2, 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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15
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98
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July 2, 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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14
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84
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July 2, 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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13
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72
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July 2, 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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12
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77
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July 2, 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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12
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89
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July 2, 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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12
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71
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July 2, 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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10
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71
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July 2, 2026
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Why Do Men Go to War?
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8
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63
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July 2, 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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7
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39
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July 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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7
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36
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July 2, 2026
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In the Author’s Note, Bear says she “drew a lot of Aphrodite’s character” from women of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Which elements of these starlets did you see in Aphrodite? Which other “goddesses” would you add to the list?
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7
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41
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July 2, 2026
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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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6
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47
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July 2, 2026
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Aphrodite in Pieces character list
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4
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44
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July 2, 2026
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