Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay

1. The novel opens at the moment Pauline hears the news of the Mapes hotel's demolition. Why do you think the author chose to start the novel there?
2. When as ked how she felt about the Mapes Hotel demolition in the beginning of the novel , Pauline responds by saying, "I can't help feeling emotional . That hotel was like an entire world to me." Were you familiar with the hi s tory of this hotel? Are there buildings or places where you grew or live now that have had a formidable impact on your life like the Mapes did for Pauline, Marilyn, and others?
3. Marcel le i s one of the many war brides that made their way from France to the United States after WWI I ended (and one of the lucky brides who was not deserted by her soldier). Were you aware of this part of hi s tory, prior to reading this novel? Would you be willing to take the leap of faith and move to a new country for your partner?
4. Marcel le and Pauline left France for a new life in the United States . Examine the similarities and differences in their immigrant experiences , and how their ages and personalities may have affected their ability, and willingness , to assimilate.
5. Discuss the roles that the various locations (the Mapes hotel , Marcel le' s hair salon, the Double Lazy Heart, etc.) and settings (Pari s , Nevada, California) played in the lives of different character s . Were they more than jus t places to them? What purposes do you think they served?
6. Discuss the characteristics of Marilyn Monroe and Commander, both of whom made a significant impact on Pauline' s life, along with the effect s they had on the lives of those around them.
7. Were you familiar with Marilyn Monroe and her life prior to reading this novel? Did reading this novel expose you to a different side of this Hollywood legend or change your perspective of her?
8. Marilyn has a select group of people that she calls her "Happy People" in the novel. How do you think each member of her Happy People contributed to her life and her work? Who would be part of your Happy People group?
9. Marcelle and Pauline were both, for periods of time, single mothers with young daughters. Examine how their circumstances may have influenced their parenting choices. Do you think this affected their relationship with one another? Did this change over time?
10. Analyze Pauline's relationship with her stepfather, Doug. Why do you think their relationship was so different compared to Pauline's relationship with her mother?
11. After Pauline receives her note and check from Marilyn, she thinks of her mother, "the hopeful war bride for whom the American Dream had gone so wrong." Discuss the differences in the outcomes Marcelle and Pauline had in their pursuits of the American Dream.
12. Discuss the factors that contributed to Pauline's relationship with Kendall Spencer. How did their levels of power and status impact their dynamic? How did Marilyn help her change that?
13. Pauline was first introduced to wild mustangs on the train ride to Reno, and again at the Double Lazy Heart Ranch where she met Billie-Pearl. How did working with the wild mustangs change Pauline's perspective when thinking of the future? Did Billie-Pearl and Marilyn also affect her in the same manner?

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