The Velveteen Daughter Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Child Prodigies in Visual Art and our BookBrowse Review of The Velveteen Daughter.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. is the relationship between Pamela and Margery? Do you find it problematical? What about the relationship between Pamela and Francesco?
2. How does Pamela's illness manifest itself? When does it begin? Do you think it was inevitable (simply inherited), or do you think it had to do with circumstances in her life? What was the cause of her breakdown?
3. Do you agree with Margery's decision to allow Francesco take charge of their young prodigy daughter? Did she reconcile herself to her decision? What do you think you would have done?

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