Welcome to Litsy!

8. As you read about the characters‘ fates, how did you react to the ironies and just deserts? Whose ending surprised you the most? Which characters exemplified your definition of a life well lived? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

7. As you observed the path of the bluebird brooch, from Mr. Ingram to his wife and then to a pawn shop, and finally to Lottie, what did you also observe about the way money changes hands in the novel—and the shifting value of jewelry (and beauty) depending on the circumstances? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

6. At the novel‘s core is a murder mystery. What were your theories about the identity of the girls‘ killer and the motivation behind these tragedies? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

5. In what way do the five nightclubs in Nellie‘s empire—the Amethyst, the Foxhole, the Pixie, the Crystal Cup, and the Sphinx—reflect varying aspects of her personality? What does her showdown with Azzopardi reveal about her strengths and weaknesses? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

4. Freda and Florence come from very different backgrounds but share similar dreams. What does the novel show us about the nature of innocence, and about the nature of evil? When Freda is harassed and attacked by Owen Varley, how is her sense of self shaken? Was Freda in some ways more naïve than Florence? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

3. What sustains Frobisher‘s marriage to Lottie? Does Lottie‘s addiction mean that she always receives more from Frobisher than she gives, or do they have a marriage of equals, in a way? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

2. As a woman in the early twentieth century, Gwendolyn is often at a disadvantage. How does she turn the tables on those who try to undermine her? How do her vulnerabilities and secret strengths compare to Edith‘s? ~from Penguin Random House #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead