Discuss Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Discuss the role of Medusa. From the story that Ariadne's handmaiden tells her as a girl, to Ariadne's final encounter with the head of Medusa, how do the themes in Medusa's story parallel Ariadne's?

Jun. 14, 2021
by beverlyj

Does Dionysus' indictment of the gods ring true to you? Do you think Dionysus himself is different, especially in his relationship with Ariadne and their sons?

Jun. 14, 2021
by beverlyj

Why do you think Phaedra commits suicide? How does that choice reflect both her powerlessness and her power? How do you think she will be remembered?

Jun. 12, 2021
by beverlyj

How much agency and responsibility do you think Ariadne and Phaedra have over their choices, and how much are they manipulated by the gods and Fates?

Jun. 12, 2021
by beverlyj

Which was your favorite setting?

Jun. 12, 2021
by beverlyj

Ariadne realizes that there is a darker side to the stories of gods and men. Discuss some examples from the novel that bear this out. Is there still a tendency in our culture to valorize men while ignoring women's pain?

Jun. 12, 2021
by beverlyj

Overall, what do you think of Ariadne? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Jun. 12, 2021
by beverlyj

Ariadne says of her sons, "They have gone on to lead quiet, unremarkable lives—the greatest gift that they could have been given." What does she mean?

Jun. 06, 2021
by patriciag

How can retellings of classic stories change or expand our view of the original? What are some of your favorite retellings?

Jun. 03, 2021
by celiaarnaud

Were you more drawn to Ariadne's or Phaedra's chapters? Why do you think the author chose to include both of their perspectives?

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Unlike Ariadne, Phaedra doesn't remember a time before the Minotaur. How do the sisters' different childhoods change their outlooks on life and impact their personalities?

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Discuss the different experiences of motherhood we see in the novel, including Pasiphae's relationship with her children.

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Ariadne reflects that the ritual gave shape to the Maenads grief and anger. Does this explanation make sense to you? Can you think of rituals or activities in our culture today that might fill a similar role? Does that justify them?

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Compare and contrast the different examples of romantic love in this book. Which was the truest love story, if any?

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Daedalus seems to be one of the few admirable male characters in this novel. How is he different from the other men and gods we encounter? What role does he play in the story? Can we trust the sisters' positive account of him?

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Why do you think the author chose to begin with "the story of a righteous man," describing King Minos? How do we, over the course of the novel, see how problematic these "righteous men" are?

May. 31, 2021
by kayswint

What were some of your favorite lines from this book?

May. 31, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

Do you feel any sympathy for Dionysus' actions? Does he change over the course of the novel, or does Ariadne simply see him for who he truly is?

May. 30, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

What tone does the novel's epigraph set for the story to come?

May. 30, 2021
by BuffaloGirl

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Ariadne

Discuss Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Discuss the role of Medusa. From the story that Ariadne's handmaiden tells her as a girl, to Ariadne's final encounter with the head of Medusa, how do the themes in Medusa's story parallel Ariadne's?

Does Dionysus' indictment of the gods ring true to you? Do you think Dionysus himself is different, especially in his relationship with Ariadne and their sons?

Why do you think Phaedra commits suicide? How does that choice reflect both her powerlessness and her power? How do you think she will be remembered?

How much agency and responsibility do you think Ariadne and Phaedra have over their choices, and how much are they manipulated by the gods and Fates?

Which was your favorite setting?

Ariadne realizes that there is a darker side to the stories of gods and men. Discuss some examples from the novel that bear this out. Is there still a tendency in our culture to valorize men while ignoring women's pain?

Overall, what do you think of Ariadne? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Ariadne says of her sons, "They have gone on to lead quiet, unremarkable lives—the greatest gift that they could have been given." What does she mean?

How can retellings of classic stories change or expand our view of the original? What are some of your favorite retellings?

Were you more drawn to Ariadne's or Phaedra's chapters? Why do you think the author chose to include both of their perspectives?

Unlike Ariadne, Phaedra doesn't remember a time before the Minotaur. How do the sisters' different childhoods change their outlooks on life and impact their personalities?

Discuss the different experiences of motherhood we see in the novel, including Pasiphae's relationship with her children.

Ariadne reflects that the ritual gave shape to the Maenads grief and anger. Does this explanation make sense to you? Can you think of rituals or activities in our culture today that might fill a similar role? Does that justify them?

Compare and contrast the different examples of romantic love in this book. Which was the truest love story, if any?

Daedalus seems to be one of the few admirable male characters in this novel. How is he different from the other men and gods we encounter? What role does he play in the story? Can we trust the sisters' positive account of him?

Why do you think the author chose to begin with "the story of a righteous man," describing King Minos? How do we, over the course of the novel, see how problematic these "righteous men" are?

What were some of your favorite lines from this book?

Do you feel any sympathy for Dionysus' actions? Does he change over the course of the novel, or does Ariadne simply see him for who he truly is?

What tone does the novel's epigraph set for the story to come?

Sorry, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

We have migrated to a new forum for book club discussions, please join us for our latest discussions on the BookBrowse Community Forum.

Discuss Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Sorry, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.