The Marriage of Opposites Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The Synagogue Made With Molasses and our BookBrowse Review of The Marriage of Opposites.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

Introduction

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Dovekeepers and The Museum of Extraordinary Things comes a spellbinding tale of forbidden love, family secrets, and unimaginable beauty. Set in St. Thomas in the early 1800s, The Marriage of Opposites follows one of history's lesser known women: headstrong and rebellious Rachel Pizzarro—the mother of one of Impressionism's founding artists, Camille Pissarro.


Topics and Questions for Discussion

1. Discuss the title. Which marriage or relationship does "The Marriage of Opposites" refer to? Where in the novel do you first recognize the title's significance?
   
2. In Chapter 1, Rachel says, "Perhaps that was what my mother disliked most. I resembled her. I could not help but wonder if for some women, that was the worst sin of all." Discuss Rachel's relationship with her mother, her own stepchildren, and female relationships around her. What sort of resemblance does she mean? Compare these relationships with the one Rachel has with her son, Camille.
   
3. "... on this island, strength was a necessity" (page 22). Consider the power dynamics in the novel, from mental strength to willpower, physical strength versus financial dominance. Discuss what is meant when Rachel's father tells her that her marriage is "a combining of strengths" (page 27). For these characters, which strength is most valuable?

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