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About the A Crown of Stars category
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0
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21
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January 26, 2026
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Rita decided to take the Lusitania despite the warnings. Was she too trusting that the ship was too fast to be torpedoed? Or was she justified in feeling that her need to reach her brother outweighed the risk? Would you have boarded the ship?
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24
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52
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April 9, 2026
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Each chapter of the book starts with an excerpt from Inez’s final letter to Rita. What did you think of this technique? How do you feel it set the stage for the chapter each precedes, or for the book in general?
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22
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57
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March 30, 2026
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Even as she began to fall in love with Giuseppe, Rita would tell herself, I want him, but I don’t want to need him. Considering her past divorce and her thriving career, was she wise to guard her heart against the count?
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10
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35
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March 30, 2026
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What do you think of Rita’s deliberate, unspoken message to her enemies: I’m still here?
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9
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42
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March 27, 2026
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Most of the characters depicted in A Crown of Stars were based on real people. Had you heard of any of them previously?
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22
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88
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March 22, 2026
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Charles tells Rita, “[T]he key to lasting success…isn’t luck or even necessarily talent. It’s having the public recognize you right away...” What did you think of this statement? Do you think it was true at the time? Is it true today?
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9
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41
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March 22, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of A Crown of Stars? (No spoilers in this thread, please!)
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36
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153
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March 13, 2026
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What did you know about the sinking of the Lusitania before reading A Crown of Stars? What did you think of Shana Abé’s depiction of the event?
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29
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120
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March 11, 2026
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Rita’s first experience acting in live theatre was a disappointment. Even so, she didn’t give up her dream. What kept her going? Would you have given up had you been in a similar situation?
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12
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45
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March 10, 2026
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How do you think you would have fared in Rita's place during the tragedy? In those frantic minutes after the liner went under, would you have let the panicked people still in the water climb up the lifeboat, even at the risk of capsizing it?
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10
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21
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March 10, 2026
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Rita’s childhood could be considered sheltered, even enchanted. How did it prepare her for the real world? Or did it? Do you think Rita would have been a successful actress if not for the initial support of Pauline?
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5
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16
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March 10, 2026
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The Jolivet sisters shared a deep and abiding bond, but Rita was always the leader. Was it fair of her to drag her little sister along with her to London, just to get her own way?
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13
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57
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March 10, 2026
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Inez was clearly devastated to lose George. Did Rita and her family do enough help her in those weeks after the sinking? Or do you think Inez was deliberately as emotionally hidden as she needed to be to conceal her true intentions?
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20
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45
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March 10, 2026
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Do you agree with Rita’s decision to make Lest We Forget? Why do you think Rita agreed to travel around the country to speak about the sinking while selling Liberty Bonds, even though it caused her anguish?
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11
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35
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March 10, 2026
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What did you learn about the era from the novel? Did anything surprise you?
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8
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37
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March 10, 2026
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At what point did you read the Author’s Note – before, after, or while you read the novel? Did you do much research/internet searching about people and events as you read?
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18
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67
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March 10, 2026
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Rita enjoyed a bohemian lifestyle for her time, flouting convention if it didn’t suit her. She had a strong publicity machine at her back to smooth over any transgressions, but should she have been more circumspect regarding her private life?
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4
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19
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March 10, 2026
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To what audience would you recommend A Crown of Stars? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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15
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60
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March 10, 2026
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Inez defends her decision to marry George (“I am at home in his heart"). Do you believe she actually fell in love with him that quickly, or was becoming Mrs. Vernon more of a new version of herself that she couldn’t wait to experience?
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17
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41
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March 10, 2026
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Have you read any of Shana Abé’s previous novels, and if so, how do they compare to A Crown of Stars?
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19
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71
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March 10, 2026
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