ICE Breakers
REBECCA
BOOK OF THE MOMENT
Have you read, seen or wanted to read 'Rebecca' before and did it live up to your expectations? If a second reading, how was this experience different?
There are plenty of themes in 'Rebecca' worthy of discussion. Jealousy, trust, secrecy, death, unrequited love, class, age? What were the themes that captured your imagination?
Which characters attracted your attention? Danny/Mrs Danvers? Jack Favell? Maxim de Winter? Who disappointed you?
Why do you think du Maurier decided to keep the narrator’s ‘lovely and unusual name’ a secret from the reader?
Written over 80 years old if and how is this story still relevant today?
Netflix released a film version of 'Rebecca" in 2020? Did it compare favourably to the book?
SUCH A FUN AGE
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Do you think some of the characters are too stereotypical? Is Alix too much of a caricature?
Could you sympathise with Alix’s intentions at all as she tries to help Emira?
Were you frustrated by Emira’s lack of career drive or did you find her willingness to be her own self refreshing?
Do you think there are men like Kelly who seem to consistently date ethnically minority women and why do you think this is the case?
Do you think Alix’s husband should have had more of a role in the story?
Do you think such a ‘misunderstanding’ would happen in a late supermarket in the UK?
Did you like Briar? Do you think that she is perhaps the hero of the story?
MY SUNSHINE AWAY
This novel has been compared to Harper Lee’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" - do you agree?
Why do you think the author maintains the anonymity of the narrator?
This book is about the power of memory and the consequences of keeping a childhood secret. Do you think everyone has childhood secrets they would like to reveal but can't?
Why do you think the narrator was unable to comfort Lindy at the time?
Do you think Lindy forgave the narrator? Do you think he forgave himself?
The author spends a section on the relationship between Baton Rouge and New Orleans - did you find this section interesting and do you think it added to the story?
Do you think the narrator ever really knew Lindy?
Despite the serious subject matter, the novel never feels dark - would you agree and if so, how do you think the author achieves this?
THE WILD CARD