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About the When No One Else Will Discussion category
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1
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24
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August 7, 2026
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Overall, what did you think of When No One Else Will? To what audience would you recommend the novel? (No spoilers, please!)
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33
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302
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August 7, 2026
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What place do you think controversial topics like abortion have in literature?
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27
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285
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August 7, 2026
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Mimi lies to her husband about her job until she’s in serious trouble. What did you think of her decision here? Do you believe she made the right decision under the circumstances? When would you have told Stan, if you’d been in Mimi’s shoes?
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20
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132
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August 7, 2026
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Amanda Skenandore has written a number of books, mostly in the historical fiction genre. Have you read any of her other novels? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
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20
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136
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August 7, 2026
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Regret is a recurring theme in the novel. Do you think it's possible to live a life without regret? How does regret or fear of regret drive people's choices?
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19
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170
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August 7, 2026
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After his accident, Stan struggles to move on. What did you think of his predicament? Have you ever experienced a life-changing setback? How did you move past it?
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18
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152
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August 7, 2026
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Emily, Dr. Millstone, and Ada's daughter Jennie all died on account of the trial. Do you view their deaths as unnecessary tragedies of an unjust system or the unfortunate consequences of criminal activity?
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18
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132
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August 7, 2026
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Mimi has a difficult relationship with her mother-in-law, Halina. Why do you suppose Halina was so hostile? Do you think there was anything Mimi could have done to improve the situation?
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17
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130
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August 7, 2026
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This story is based on a real abortion clinic in downtown Chicago in the 1930s & early 1940s. Does this surprise you? How did the story align with your understanding of abortion and abortion access in this era? How have attitudes to abortion changed?
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16
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142
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August 7, 2026
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Mimi refuses Papanek's deal (Chapter 48). Do you think she made the right choice? What choice would you have made?
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15
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111
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August 7, 2026
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Mimi’s sister sent letters home after being sent away, yet her parents never opened them. Why do you think this was? What impact did their actions have on Mimi? How would Mimi’s life have been different if she’d been in communication with her sister?
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15
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129
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August 7, 2026
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The book’s Epilogue speaks about Mimi, Ada, and Jo being incarcerated, while in real life, Ada and Jo escaped serious prison time. Why do you suppose the author chose to depart from history? What did you think of her decision?
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15
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92
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August 7, 2026
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What information in the book was new to you? Did you learn anything about the time period from it? Did anything surprise you?
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15
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121
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August 7, 2026
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Mimi assists in a procedure on a 12-year-old girl and afterwards wants to provide more help to her. Ada, however, shuts her down. (p. 135). What did you think about her stance? Given the time period, is she correct to limit their assistance?
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15
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99
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August 7, 2026
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Many of the characters' actions are motivated by the desire to protect or support their families. Mimi, Daniel, and many of the women who seek abortions at the clinic are driven by this desire. Does this change how you view their actions?
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13
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60
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August 7, 2026
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How does Mimi change and grow over the course of the novel? What lessons does she learn?
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12
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97
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August 7, 2026
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One of the clinic’s patients, Miss Simms, tells Mimi that “Only a fool tells her lover everything.” (p. 77). What do you feel she meant? Do you agree with her?
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11
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82
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August 7, 2026
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What role does gender inequality play in the story? How much has changed since the time period portrayed in the book?
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10
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83
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August 7, 2026
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While watching the gorilla in the Chicago zoo, Mimi tells Daniel, “Iron bars aren’t the only thing that can cage people.” (p. 166) To what do you think she was referring? What else can cage people, in your opinion?
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9
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53
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August 7, 2026
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How does faith influence Mimi and other characters' choices? How does faith—religious, spiritual, humanistic, or otherwise— influence your choices?
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7
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59
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August 7, 2026
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