A Rogue of One's Own (A League of Extraordinary Women) Reading Guide

1. Throughout the course of the novel, Lucie discovers her sexuality. How would you describe this journey? What do you think were the main drivers behind Lucie's risky decision to accept Tristan's offer, knowing that a sexual relationship outside of marriage would be socially unacceptable?
2. Can you relate to Lucie's concerns that working hard on a causewill automatically pose a conflict with married life or a romantic relationship? Do you agree or disagree? Be specific.
3. How would you describe the conflict between Lucie and her mother? Did your opinion of Lucie's mother change throughout the story? Why or why not?
4. Tristan does not immediately turn into a suffrage activist, despite witnessing how little protection the law provides his mother from the abuses of her husband. Why do you think that is?
5. What role does Annabelle play in this story? How is her approach to the Cause different from Lucie's?
6. Fashion is a frequent topic of discussion among Hattie, Lucie, Annabelle, and Catriona. In the Victorian era, women of means were expected to present themselves fashionably and dress immaculately at all times. Fashion was also one of the few ways through which a woman could express her personality. How is fashion used in this story? Do you think fashion is political for Lucie and her friends? Why or why not? Do you feel fashion is still more than just fashion today?
7. Women's magazines in the Victorian era were frequently edited by men, and usually aimed to inform and facilitate women's correct conduct in society and in the home. How has this changed?
8. While we do not see Lucie tackling an over arching political event in the course of her story, she is regularly confronted—due to her political work—with what we today would call microaggression. Do you recall any of those instances, and how do you think these experiences would shape an activist like Lucie over time?
9. Lucie tells Tristan women have been explicitly fighting for equality for nearly a hundred years—ever since Mary Wollstonecraft wrote The Vindication on the Rights of Women—yet here we are, still fighting—another 140 years on. Do you feel this is still applicable, why or why not?

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.