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ICE Breakers

PROPHET'S SONG

BOOK OF THE MOMENT

Our book club were divided on how we felt about this novel - it felt like a marmite read. Did you and your friends have strong opinions about this book?
Eilish is courageous and extraordinary - do you agree? To what extent would you follow her plight to protect her family?
Did you emphasise with Eilish’s mistakes?
Lynch described 'Prophet Song' as a container of realities and wanted the reader to imagine what it would feel like to inhabit events happening everyday around the world. Did you feel yourself 'pressing into the moments' and how did it help understand Eilish's plight to protect her family?
Why do you think the novel is called 'Prophet’s Song'?
Do you think this is a dystopian novel? Which other books does it remind you of? (Orwell’s ‘1984’? Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, Anna Burn’s ‘Milkman’.)
How is 'Prophet Song' different? Is it a worthy Booker Prize winner?

THE COUNTRY GIRL

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Why do you think Cait falls for Mr Gentleman? Do you think young girls today could be groomed so easily?
Similarly, why does Cait, who is academically gifted, let herself by led astray by Baba? What does this trait say about her?
When Baba has such a comfortable loving family, why do you think she behaves like a bully?
O’Brien’s book was condemned by authorities in Ireland as too liberal and not a true reflection of women during this period. Are you surprised by this?
How did you find O’Brien’s writing style and do you think it has become dated?

THE BLOODY CHAMBER & OTHER STORIES

Do you have a favourite story and why?
To what extent is this a feminist revision of fairy tales and do you think this was Carter’s intention?
What other writers or novels does ‘The Bloody Chamber & Other Stories’ remind you of and why do you think this collection is studied as an English Literature text?
The introduction of erotica and violence in the book's storytelling can be recognised in modern popular novels such as 'Fifty Shades of Grey' and 'It Ends with Us'? Do you think this makes Carter’s work progressive or does it now feel dated by modern standards?
Fairytales have enjoyed a revival in film and on the stage, not just in literature. Do you think these stories could be re-imagined and who would play your Beauty and Beast?

THE WILD CARD

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Illustrations by Lizzie Nightingale 
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