1. In manuscript, this book was originally called The Night Sky, but Morris's publisher felt she should change the title, so it was published first as A Mother's Love. At some risk Morris wanted Picador to republish this book with the original title. Why do you think Morris felt so strongly about this? Why is The Night Sky the real title of this book?

2. Why do we need the story in the past to inform the present?

3. How is Ivy's art reflected in the structure of the novel as a whole?

4. Ivy is named Ivy because her mother says she likes to cling. How and to what does she cling? Is her name a self-fulfilling prophecy?

5. In some ways this novel is a book about gambling. What is the role of gambling in the novel?

6. Sense of place is always important for Morris who is also a travel writer. What part does the desert play in this book?

7. Is Ivy a good mother? How is it in the end that we know what kind of mother she is or will be?