Daughter  of Blue City

What did you like best about Daughter of Blue City, and what did you like least? Why? 

Do you feel a connection with a particular character? If so, who, and why?

Which aspects of the book can you personally relate to? 

What have you learned from the book about China’s history and politics? Is it consistent with, or different from, what you had understood about China before you read the book?

The story covers many events that took place between 1966 and 1980 that helped shape Lianlian’s life. Some occurred at national and regional levels, and some took place locally or within the family. Which moments do you think most influenced the development of Lianlian’s character and temperament? Which moment or event do you think was the most important turning point in Lianlian’s life? Why?

Which characters played an important role, either positive or negative, in Lianlian’s life at different stages?

How do you feel about the relationship between Lianlian and Jun? Between Lianlian and Shanshan? Between Lianlian and Bin-Kai?

At what moment did Lianlian’s survival instinct kick in and change her behavior?

What do you think the two sisters’ respective future lives might be like? How might Lianlian evolve or change after entering PKU? Would Shanshan make it to attend college in Beijing?

Does the story have universal significance? Does it remind you of your childhood or the childhoods of people you know?

The story explores several overarching themes and important lessons Lianlian learned. What themes and lessons can you identify?

What makes this book engaging? Are there sections that really drew you in and made the story come alive for you?

Are there any parts of the book where you felt lost or needed more information? Was this because of the writing, or because of your unfamiliarity with what was happening in China during that period?

Is the mostly-chronological structure of the book effective at depicting the ever-changing environments, Lianlian’s observations and reflections, and the overall story?

This historical novel is based on actual events. The main characters are fictionalized, but they, too, are based on real people. Do you think the stories and characters, along with their thoughts, actions, and emotions, are realistic? If so, what has the author done to achieve that realism? If not, how could the author have helped bring them more to life?

Are the socio-political events effectively blended into the narrative to provide contexts and settings? How well does the author portray the impacts of these events?

What do you think were the author’s goals when she wrote this book?

If you could chat with the author, what would you ask?