Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

1. In the beginning of the novel, Beatriz chooses to marry against her mother's wishes. If you were in her position, what decision would you have made?
2. Which character did you relate to the most, and why?
3. Do you think that Juana or Ana Luisa were sympathetic characters? Why or why not?
4. Do you believe in ghosts of any kind? Why or why not? Have you had any experiences that sway your beliefs one way or another?
5. Did you trust Andrés when he was first introduced? Why or why not?
6. What did you think of the novel's portrayal of religion?
7. Was Rodolfo a villain or a victim?
8. The Mexican War of Independence is a subject rarely taught in American high schools and universities. Did the novel's historical themes (class, land ownership, and race, among others) change your perception of Mexican history? How so?
9. Andrés has a close relationship with his grandmother. Is there a member of your family, perhaps of an older generation, with whom you are close? Have you learned beliefs or stories from them that connect you to your family's history?
10. Beatriz, Juana, and Paloma experience the world of Mexico in 1823 and the hacienda in different ways. What did you think of the novel's portrayal of female autonomy in this historical period?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Berkley Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.