Hidden in Paris bookclub questions
1- Annie has been a widow for over two years. Do you agree with Lucas that she needs to move on, or do you feel that there is no such thing as a time limit on grieving the loss of a spouse?
2- Is Annie’s jealousy for Lola healthy self-preservation, or a sign of insecurity? Do you think that what happened with Johnny justifies making an insecure woman out of her?
3- Lola’s gentle ways are a source of both awe and exasperation for Annie. Do you think it is Lola’s flaws, or her beauty and sweetness that finally ingratiate her to Annie?
4-Do you feel that Lola’s decision to run away without an explanation is justified considering the situation with Mark, or do you feel that he, despite his behavior, deserves better?
5-Considering the efforts Mark goes through to get Lola back, do you think she should give him a second chance? Which of his changes make him redeemable, if any.
6- Do you feel that Lola has been closing her eyes out of love for Mark, or out of cowardice?
7- Why is Lucas so hesitant to express his feelings? Would he fall in love with Annie if he were to meet her as she is today, or could he only have fallen in love with her because of the way she was back when Johnny was alive?
8- Annie and Lola have very different mothering styles. How do you think those styles might reflect the parenting styles in Paris and Los Angeles? How do you think Lola and Annie’s mothering style affect their respective children?
9- Althea has shut down a whole lot of herself. What do you think is most instrumental in her reevaluating her life? Paris, Jared, Annie, or simply being away from her parents? Or do you think that by the time she made the decision to run away to Paris, the seed of change were already planted?
10- Althea clearly suffers and isolates herself in the house. Do you think it’s possible not to see the signs of distress when for someone is very sick? Would you have to be selfish, or willfully ignorant? When do you think one should take action?
11- What does Jared see in Althea? Can a relationship based on rescuing someone, for whatever reasons, ever become a healthy one? Do you believe people in love can heal each other’s wounds, or do you see it a doomed scenario?
12- Do you feel that friendships between women who are opposites in every way are enriching, or do you feel that friendships such as the ones described in the book would be hard to trust?
13- Paris is one of the most colorful characters in the book. In your experience, did your image of Paris (and the French) change by reading the book, or did all feel so familiar?
14 -Does the fantasy of starting over in a completely new life appeal to you or do you feel those are experiences better confined to book reading?
15- Is this eclectic home life sustainable? Do you think women and children can coexist as roommate?
16- Knowing what you know about Annie, she was not originally well suited to such a communal lifestyle. Do you think she grew from the experience? Which characters did you feel had the hardest path to growth? How do you think they fared?
2- Is Annie’s jealousy for Lola healthy self-preservation, or a sign of insecurity? Do you think that what happened with Johnny justifies making an insecure woman out of her?
3- Lola’s gentle ways are a source of both awe and exasperation for Annie. Do you think it is Lola’s flaws, or her beauty and sweetness that finally ingratiate her to Annie?
4-Do you feel that Lola’s decision to run away without an explanation is justified considering the situation with Mark, or do you feel that he, despite his behavior, deserves better?
5-Considering the efforts Mark goes through to get Lola back, do you think she should give him a second chance? Which of his changes make him redeemable, if any.
6- Do you feel that Lola has been closing her eyes out of love for Mark, or out of cowardice?
7- Why is Lucas so hesitant to express his feelings? Would he fall in love with Annie if he were to meet her as she is today, or could he only have fallen in love with her because of the way she was back when Johnny was alive?
8- Annie and Lola have very different mothering styles. How do you think those styles might reflect the parenting styles in Paris and Los Angeles? How do you think Lola and Annie’s mothering style affect their respective children?
9- Althea has shut down a whole lot of herself. What do you think is most instrumental in her reevaluating her life? Paris, Jared, Annie, or simply being away from her parents? Or do you think that by the time she made the decision to run away to Paris, the seed of change were already planted?
10- Althea clearly suffers and isolates herself in the house. Do you think it’s possible not to see the signs of distress when for someone is very sick? Would you have to be selfish, or willfully ignorant? When do you think one should take action?
11- What does Jared see in Althea? Can a relationship based on rescuing someone, for whatever reasons, ever become a healthy one? Do you believe people in love can heal each other’s wounds, or do you see it a doomed scenario?
12- Do you feel that friendships between women who are opposites in every way are enriching, or do you feel that friendships such as the ones described in the book would be hard to trust?
13- Paris is one of the most colorful characters in the book. In your experience, did your image of Paris (and the French) change by reading the book, or did all feel so familiar?
14 -Does the fantasy of starting over in a completely new life appeal to you or do you feel those are experiences better confined to book reading?
15- Is this eclectic home life sustainable? Do you think women and children can coexist as roommate?
16- Knowing what you know about Annie, she was not originally well suited to such a communal lifestyle. Do you think she grew from the experience? Which characters did you feel had the hardest path to growth? How do you think they fared?