Jasper Fforde
Three separate interviews in which Jasper Fforde discusses the Thursday Next series, his Nursery Crime novels and Shades of Grey, the first in a trilogy set in a future world recognizable as our own - but only just.
Abraham Verghese
An interview with Abraham Verghese about his life and writing and in particular about his extraordinary 2009 novel Cutting for Stone, set in 1960s and '70s Ethiopia and 1980s New York.
Martha A Sandweiss
An interview with Martha Sandweiss in which she discusses her book Passing Strange, a biography of Clarence King who lived a double life—as the celebrated white explorer, geologist, and writer Clarence King and as a black Pullman porter named James Todd, married to Ada with whom he had five children.
Amy Greene
Amy Greene talks about her first novel, Bloodroot, which brings her native Appalachia—and the faith and fury of its people—to rich and vivid life.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: Questions, plus a reading group guide, with links to reviews, excerpt, author interview and author biography at BookBrowse.com.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan A Novel
by
Lisa See
Hardcover: Jun 2005,
272 pages.
Paperback: Feb 2006,
288 pages.
Caution! It is likely that the following questions will reveal, or at least allude to, key plot details. Therefore, if you haven’t yet read this book, but are planning on doing so, you may wish to proceed with caution to avoid spoiling your later enjoyment.
Lily endures excruciating pain in order to have her feet bound. What
reasons are given for this dangerous practice?
Did See's descriptions of footbinding remind you of any Western
traditions?
If some men in 19th-century China knew about nu shu and "old same"
friendships, why do you think they allowed these traditions to persist?
Reflecting on her first few decades, Lily seems to think her friendship
with Snow Flower brought her more good than harm. Do you agree?
Lily's adherence to social customs can seem controversial to us today.
Pick a scene where you would have acted differently. Why?
Lily defies the wishes of her son in order to pair her grandson with
Peony. Does she fully justify her behavior?
Lily sometimes pulls us out of the present moment to reflect--as an old
woman--on her youthful decisions. What does this device add to the story?
How would you film these moments of reflection?
If Lily is writing her story to Snow Flower in the afterworld, what do you
think Snow Flower's response would or should be?
Did you recognize any aspects of your own friendships in the bond between
Lily and Snow Flower?
Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Random House.
Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.
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