Somebody's Daughter Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Overcoming Childhood Sexual Assault: Survivors' Stories and our BookBrowse Review of Somebody's Daughter.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Ashley discusses what it was like visiting her father in prison, and how the weight of their expectations held them back from spoiling the other's dream (page 17). In what ways have unrealistic expectations set upon yourself and others held you back from connecting wholeheartedly?
2. As a child Ashley believed that "the badness belonged where it landed" (page 29) and her mother hurting her was somehow in her control. Where do you think this mentality comes from? Do you think this mentality follows a person well into their adult life? If so, can you describe how it affects them as an adult?
3. As they watch the snakes burn, Ashley's grandmother says that "we don't give up on our people. We don't stop loving them...not even when we're burning alive" (page 74). Can you think of a time when you've found this statement to be true? How can this statement be harmful to one's well-being?

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