|
- After Anna is told in alternating perspectives and several
different timelines. What did you think of this unique structure and
what did it add to your reading experience?
- Maggie was separated from Anna after suffering a severe bout of
postpartum psychosis, an extreme form of postpartum depression. In
the real world, as in After Anna, postpartum depression often goes
untreated or is considered shameful. Why do you think there is so
much stigma surrounding these illnesses? What can we do to help
better support new mothers?
- Anna was used as a pawn by her father, and he wielded his power
and money, and even lied to Anna to keep her away from Maggie. What
do you think motivated him to do it? What do you think his
motivation was for doing it? What was your initial reaction when
Maggie learned the truth about Anna’s father? Were you instantly
suspicious, or did you believe Anna’s explanation? How did that
affect your opinion of Anna throughout the rest of the novel?
- Throughout the trial sections of the novel, damning evidence
against Noah begins to build, from texts on his phone to official
government documents. Were you convinced by the evidence? Why or why
not? Did you think he was guilty – of murder or anything else?
- When Anna enters their home, Maggie and Noah have to renegotiate
their parental boundaries and the household rules. How do you manage
this in your own household? How does Anna having a large amount of
money complicate this, and how do you think you would navigate a
similar situation? Is there a right or wrong way to go about it?
- On page 81, Anna’s lawyer says, "Every girl needs a mother,
doesn’t she?" Who do you turn to when you need mothering, whether
your biological mother or someone else? Do you think we ever grow
out of needing our mother?
- When did you begin to get suspicious of Anna’s erratic behavior?
What struck you as particularly odd? How do you think your
understanding of the novel would change if you read it again,
knowing the outcome?
- What do you think about the ethics of Kathy and Maggie looking
through Anna’s books for notes – are teenagers entitled to a certain
level of privacy? Was it right, wrong, or more complicated than
that? Why do you think this?
- Near the end of the novel, Maggie thinks that she must push
through, "Because she was a mother, and she had a job to do." Where
can you see this theme of what mothers would do for their daughters
throughout the book? What kind of power do you think there is in a
mother/daughter bond?
- What did you think of the ending of the novel? Did you see it
coming or were you completely blindsided? Did it change your
understanding of the rest of the novel?
|
|