1. Charlotte goes to medical school at a time when few women did. How have societal conventions changed for women? What kind of changes do you hope to see in the future?
2. Life these days moves at a much different pace than it did in the Victorian era. Do you feel the changes are positive? Negative?
3. Part of the beauty of Charlotte, Eva, and Amelie’s relationship is their closeness; they are cousins but also a kind of “found family.” What relationships in your life take on these elements?
4. In what ways are the relationship challenges John and Charlotte face similar to those we handle today as couples or families?
5. In fiction, we often see a rosy view of historical settings. Even knowing it wasn’t always picture-perfect, would you like to live in an era different from ours?
6. It has been said that if a society wishes to strengthen itself, its women must be educated. What is the significance of this idea, and why?
7. Romances almost always have a happy ending. Do you find value in this? Do you agree or disagree with the idea that it is often unrealistic?
8. What is the value of consuming fiction? What argument would you make to someone who feels fiction is a waste of time?