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Did the book capture your interest immediately? Or did it take a while? At what point were you engaged?
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What feelings did you experience while reading the book?
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Describe each of the “Belles”… Why do they do what they do? Are their actions justified? Describe their relationships. How has the past shaped their lives? Do you admire them or not? Can you relate to them? Are they similar to people you know?
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What about the men in the novel? Joe, Leo, Ramon, Glen, Father Mark?
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Is the plot engaging? Did you find it fast paced? Were you surprised by plot twists? Or was the plot predictable?
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What main themes does the author explore? How did the author use symbols to reinforce ideas?
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Talk about the books structure and the author’s use of points of view. Why might the author have chosen to tell the story the way she did?
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What passages strike you as insightful, even profound? Did you find any dialog memorable or funny? Perhaps a phrase, description or narrative sticks in your mind?
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Do the main characters change by the end of the book? Do they learn something about themselves and the way the world works?
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Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not?
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Has the novel touched you? Has it broadened your perspective or have you learned something new?
