Spider Love Song and Other Stories Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The History of Chinese Immigration in the United States and our BookBrowse Review of Spider Love Song and Other Stories.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Many of the stories in the collection explore the theme of family. In "The Richmond," for example, the daughter must contend with violence that she does not yet understand, with forced flight from one's home country, with stories told by her parents about historical events that are complex and unfathomable to the eleven-year-old. How are the characters impacted by immigration, or language, or questions of identity? What patterns emerge in these intergenerational relationships?
2. Damselflies, dragons, slugs, beetles, dogs, turtles, and more. There are many animals and insects that inhabit the pages of this collection. How are nonhuman creatures used in the stories? What do they add to the narratives?
3. Explore May's relationship with Lai in "Louise." Or, explore Lai's relationship with the duck. What future do you see for the couple? Why does Lai want to adopt Louise? Why doesn't May?

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