Discussion Questions for
Magnolia Inn
by Anne-Marie Meyer
1.
How did you like the book?
2.
Did the characters seem realistic?
3.
How did the author begin Maggie’s life
story? What was the beginning of Clementine’s life story? Compare the
similarities and differences between the two.
4.
Most of the characters in Magnolia Inn were
enduring some sort of challenge or hardship.
What character did you identify with most? Could you identify with any of the struggles
they were having?
5.
(p.6) Maggie’s friend Brielle made the comment;
“She owes you.” when referencing Maggie’s mom.
Discuss opinions on what parents “owe” their children and how her
comment relates to this story.
6.
(p.7) Brielle encourages Maggie to pursue her
dream. Share dreams that each of you
might have had, pursued, and/or conquered.
(p. 8) Brielle refers to Maggie’s dream as a do-over. Discuss what would be considered a do-over. Have you ever considered any of your life
choices as a “do-over? Why do you think
Meyer, the author, initially wrote Maggie as someone who demands empathy from
the reader?
7.
(p.19) Clementine described herself as a
“pig-tailed terror” when she young. How
would you describe yourself as when you were younger? Why would this description of Clementine as a
child be significant to her character development? Do you believe, how one sees themselves as a
child, tends to be an accurate assessment or false perception?
8.
(p.24) Maggie’s relationship with her mom leads
the reader to believe that it is strained.
(p. 124) Maggie often referred to her mother as; “Penny” What was your
theory, early on, as to why she didn’t call her “mom”? Did you like Penny,
Maggie’s mother?
9.
(p.30) Maggie Brown was handed the keys to the
Magnolia Inn. Did you have any foreshadowing
at this point or preconceived assumptions in the story?
10.
The author chose to alternate between characters
with each chapter. We have experienced
this reading format with club books in the past. How did you like this style
with this book?
11.
(p.44) While speaking with the realtor, Tessa,
Maggie experienced pressure of succeeding with the Inn from the entire
town. Do you think she was justified in
fearing failure, particularly to the town?
On page 126, Maggie expresses that “every person around me seemed to
think that I wasn’t enough.” Why was
Maggie’s complex an attribute to the storyline?
12.
(p. 51) Maggie had said her mom described her
often as acting before she thought. Can
you relate to this tendency, especially at a point in early life?
13.
(p.15-16) Clementine describes her experiences
with her dad’s diagnosed disease of Alzheimer’s. (p.53-54, 75) What role did this
rehabilitating disease play in the story with Clementine’s father. Do you feel like you could relate with how
Clementine dealt with his condition and circumstances? Do you feel how the disease played a part was
believable within the story? Discuss the
severity of influence it potentially can play within a family. Discuss your own experiences with
Alzheimer’s.
14.
(p. 62, 93) Maggie and Clementine find they both
have and love the Korean drama app. Are
you familiar with Korean dramas? (p.
146) Did this seem too coincidental, and did this seemingly freakish
coincidence add to the story?
15.
(p. 77-78, 86) The story gradually revealed Archer’s
heartbreaking past. At what point in the
story did you anticipate Maggie winding up with this other broken character?
16.
(pgs. 79, 114) the character, Shari, was
introduced into the story as Clementine’s friend with mysterious troubles. Did you find it bothersome that these
“troubles” were never discussed further?
Jake (p. 119), Shari’s brother was also reflected upon as Clementine’s
past boyfriend. Why do you suppose the
author chose to include the characters of Shari and Jake?
17.
(p.112) Both Maggie and Clementine often
described themselves feeling as though they did not do much for
themselves. Maggie says”, “This is the
first thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.” And Clementine was in
constant turmoil over the commitment she had for her dad (pgs. 53-54).
18.
(p.4) Maggie led the reader to believe that she
believed in fate. (pgs. 43, 86) “Fate” was referred to by Maggie often while in
the context of her coming to terms with her bad luck. (p. 214) Yet, “hope” was applied at the end
of the story while Maggie looked then at her future. (p.210) Clementine seemingly reached a
revelation when conceding that Magnolia was her “home” and that she would never
leave. While keeping these terms in mind, what would you say the theme of the
story was?
19.
(p.86) When Maggie arrived at Magnolia Inn,
Maggie resolved that she was “determined to find its beauty no matter
what”. How would you compare the state
of the Inn to Maggie throughout the story?
Did you make any ties between “Magnolia” and the character’s name, “Maggie”?
20.
(p. 97) Dorthy, Maggie’s grandmother, insisted
on staying at Magnolia when her husband left to go help his mother (p. 194). Yet, she left Magnolia Inn after her divorce
to live in California, while insisting to not sell the Inn. Did this strike you as contradicting,
especially if the Inn had been so important to her?
21.
(p. 194) Why do you think Penny chose to go with
her father and not stay at Magnolia with her mom? Do you recall any indications
on why Maggie chose her father over her mother?
22.
(pgs. 100-101, 209) The author emphasized that
the Inn “changed lives” and was “magical”.
Name some examples of why the Magnolia Inn was described in such a way.
23.
Both Victoria (p.115) and Penny (p.41) were
presented as antagonists. Discuss what
each of them lent to the story’s components.
24.
(p.118) Anna, Fiona’s mother, defined; “A book
club is so much more than just a group of ladies reading the same book. There is a sort of sisterhood that comes out
of it. A bond that can’t be replicated
anywhere else.” What was the purpose of
the book club? What are some
similarities and differences between the Red Stiletto Book Club and The Page
Turner Book Club? Discuss some
stereotypes associated with book clubs.
25.
(pgs. 116-119) Clementine was intent on passing
out numerous invitations to the book club.
Can a book club be kept personal, as to how Anne had described it, (p.
141) with 10+ people in attendance?
26.
(p. 127) Maggie daydreams about being hugged by
Archer. She points out to the reader of
the studies done on the “need for touch” and how “a person couldn’t survive if
they weren’t touched on a regular basis”.
Most of us can fathom that “touching” has its benefits (reduces stress,
lowers blood pressure and heart rates, induces oxytocin which lowers cortisol
levels). Discuss the importance of need
for “touch”.
27.
How well did the author handle the development
of the love story?
28.
(p. 129) Sean, Maggie’s ex-boyfriend, was described
as an emotionally abusive partner. Based
upon the evolvement of Maggie’s character, how do you feel Maggie initially
dealt with the break-up and later overcame what Sean told her; “she wasn’t
meant to accomplish anything”. (p. 140) Maggie realizes that she “deserves”
Archer. Was there something that
happened that triggered this realization?
29.
(p. 129) Maggie describes Magnolia’s people as
“living in the moment”. What aspects was
she referring to?
30.
Clementine, Archer, and Maggie are often
grabbing fast food (p. 177), Chinese food, pizza, Cokes, cookies, doughnuts,
and gelato. How realistic is that!?
31.
(pgs. 144-145, 163) Clementine’s father ends up
missing after she had stepped away. She
recollects a memory of her dad prepping her of what is to come, insisting that
she put him in a home when he becomes a burden.
(p. 167) The decision of moving him to a home is finalized. Discuss the act of Clementine’s acceptance
and how it led to Clementine’s “new normal” (p.190).
32.
What was the significance, if any, that the
author chose for Maggie “to not drink”? (p. 175) Does this add to her character
and what she contributes to the story?
33.
(p. 181) Clem conveys anxiety about attending
the book club saying, “people not having the greatest opinion of her”. This was not later clarified. Any theories on to why this was stated?
34.
(p. 182, 189) Clem finally caught on that Maggie
and Archer were an item. Why did Maggie
conceal the relationship from Clem, especially when the author was portraying
the two of them as being close?
35.
(p. 199, 210) Both Maggie and Clementine reach a
revelation about not ever wanting to leave Magnolia. Is there a place you have felt this
passionate about?
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