1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Emily Franklin has not written another historical fiction book, but she writes widely in diverse genres: bildungsromans, LGBTQ+ literature, young adult romance, memoir, and comedy, to name a few. Did this book get you interested in Franklin’s writing style? Does it make you interested to check out her work in other genres?
• What other books have you read that have to do with “high society” at the turn of the 20th century? For instance, Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth. How does this book compare to other books about elite individuals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
• What other books have you read that have to do with the fine art business? For instance, The Goldfinch or The Art Forger (which centers around the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum). How does this book compare to other books about the fine arts world?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• As she seeks intellectual fulfillment, Isabella begins collecting art. Are you someone who appreciates or is interested in fine art? If so, did this enrich your enjoyment of the book? If not, do you feel like this hindered your enjoyment?
• Isabella faces myriad interpersonal struggles and tragedies through the novel.