Hi bookworms!
If you’ve been following along with Close Reads Cafe, the official book club of The Write Teacher(s), you’d know that our book pick for April was FALLEN BEAUTY by Erika Robuck. Now that April is coming to a close, we’d love to discuss the book with you!
My review:
Robuck does it again with FALLEN BEAUTY. She effortlessly takes the fictional character of Laura and weaves her into the story of famed poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. The book was captivating and amplified the intricacies of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s life, while providing a roller coaster of emotions through the story of Laura and the town she lives in. With characters to root for, plot points that get under your skin, and a bit to think on after the final pages, Robuck has another great book on her hands.
What did you think of FALLEN BEAUTY? Feel free to leave all your answers and comments on this post or in the discussion thread in our Goodreads group.
Here are some questions to get you started:
- What was your initial impression/reaction when reading FALLEN BEAUTY?
- How are both Edna St. Vincent Millay and Laura Kelley “fallen women’? How does each rebuild her life after her fall?
- Do you think, like Edna, that artists should seek to live fully in order to have profound experiences to inspire their art? What price might an artist pay in doing so? What price does Millay pay? What about Laura?
- Attitudes about out-of-wedlock births have changed dramatically since the 1930s when this novel takes place/ Do you have stories to share, perhaps from your own family, about women whose lives were affected by a pregnancy outside of marriage? How different is your own attitude to those held in the thirties?
- Brilliant storytelling stays with the reader long after they have closed the book. What about this story will stay with you?
Be sure to follow @TheWriteTeach + @CloseReadsCafe to keep up with the latest bookish news! And keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of our May book pick!
Live, Love, Learn,