The Beheading Game Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Sisters, Not Friends: Mary and Anne Boleyn and our BookBrowse Review of The Beheading Game.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Describe the strict set of societal expectations placed upon women in The Beheading Game. Does becoming a queen grant Anne Boleyn more freedom or less? Is there a tradeoff?
2. What crimes was Anne charged with? What transgressions was she beheaded for? Are they the same?
3. Early on, Anne proclaims that she became Henry VIII's mistress "willingly." Why does she think that? Do you agree?

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