1. What aspects of her childhood have left Mavis insecure? Upon being forced into retirement, how do these insecurities manifest themselves?

2. Who is Annabelle? Why does she reenter Mavis’s life at this time? In what ways does Annabelle play the same role for Mavis that Rotten Eddie plays for Jonathan?

3. What kind of man is Harrison? What does he have to offer Mavis? Why has she been loyal to him for so many years?

4. Why is it important for Mavis to track down the mother who abandoned her? How did the reunion affect her?

5. Why do Annabelle and Rotten Eddie leave? Do you think either one of them will return?

6. Why does Sammie Jo change her name, empty the contents of her house, and run away?

7. Describe the friendship between Sammie Jo and Hopewell. How does each woman benefit from the relationship?

8. What are Sammie Jo’s greatest fears? Are they realistic?

9. What finally convinces Sammie Jo to go home?

10. Do you think Sammie Jo succeeds in transforming herself into Samantha? If so, in what ways? If not, how does she fail?

11. Why are her jigsaw puzzles important to Elmira?12. In what ways do they demonstrate the characteristics she values most about herself?

12. Why does Susie Q torment Elmira? What does she hope to gain by hiding pieces of the puzzles?

13. What aspects of her true nature does Elmira reject? How has her adolescent shame about her fascination with Elvis affected her as an adult?

14. What do Elmira and Jerome have to offer one another? Is their relationship based on love or infatuation?

15. How does Elmira benefit from Jerome’s presence in her life? When he leaves, why does she say she doesn’t want to find him?