A Family Matter

Maggie has made a successful life for herself, but is she completely satisfied? What are the internal conflicts she has but does not necessarily express to anyone?

Discuss Maggie’s relationship with her husband Conor. How does he compare to Heron? Which of Conor’s qualities might appeal to Maggie, and what qualities does he bring to family life that are different from what Heron brings?

What role does acceptance and forgiveness play in the novel? Does the novel assert that they are enough to overcome the pain of the past?

The novel has two epigraphs, one an excerpt from the poem “Peanut Butter” by Eileen Myles and the other from Adrienne Rich’s poem “What Kind of Times Are These.” How do these embody the themes or character arcs of the novel?

What does the novel say about the role individuals play in either allowing or combatting institutional oppression?

Apart from the fact that Hazel is a woman, what does Dawn see in her that is not present in Heron? Why are these traits appealing to her?

Discuss the structural framework of the novel, including the division into parts, the short chapters, and the two different time periods. What does this structure contribute to the tone, pacing, and impact of the individual storylines?

Why is it so difficult for Dawn to attend the lesbian women’s support group after discovering it? Discuss what she learns as she listens to the other women speaking. How does the group impact her, and what is the value of a support group like this to someone in Dawn’s position?