Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. This novel is part of a larger literary trend focused on the “Founding Mothers.” If you’ve read other books in this subgenre, like the authors’ own My Dear Hamilton or America’s First Daughter, how did A Founding Mother compare? What unique perspective did Abigail’s story offer on the Revolutionary period?

2. How did the novel’s unflinching look at the era’s medical realities, such as the smallpox inoculation and Nabby’s mastectomy, affect your reading experience? Did these graphic scenes change your understanding of daily life and courage during this time?

3. Abigail Adams is a monumental figure in American history. Before reading, what was your impression of her, and in what ways did this fictional portrayal deepen, challenge, or completely change your view of her as a historical actor, wife, and mother?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. A central conflict for Abigail is the constant pull between her duty to her family and her commitment to the nation’s cause. Think about a time you’ve felt torn between significant responsibilities in your own life. How do Abigail’s struggles to balance these demands resonate with challenges people still face today?

2. John Adams’s dismissal of Abigail’s famous “remember the ladies” (79) plea is a key moment in their relationship. Can you recall a time when a concern you felt was important was brushed aside by someone you respect? How did that experience shape your actions or your relationship moving forward?

3. The exchange of letters is the primary way Abigail and John maintain their connection across vast distances and years of separation. How does their reliance on correspondence compare to the ways we communicate with loved ones across distances today? What do you think is gained or lost with modern technology?

4. Abigail endures an incredible amount of loss, from her infant children to her mother and eventually her adult children Charles and Nabby. What sources of strength did you see her draw on to persevere through such grief? How does this compare to how you or loved ones have mourned the loss of loved ones?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The narrative frames Abigail’s life as a response to the historical erasure of women’s contributions. In what specific ways does the novel make the “invisible labor” of women visible? How might our understanding of major historical events change if more stories like this were told?

2. Abigail and John both express opposition to slavery, yet they live in and help build a nation that depends on it. How does the novel explore this fundamental contradiction at the heart of the American Revolution? Where do you see similar paradoxes in society today, where stated ideals conflict with reality?

3. The fierce political rivalry between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, particularly between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, threatened to tear the young nation apart. What parallels, if any, do you see between the political polarization of their time and the divisions in our contemporary world?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The Adams family farm, which they name Peacefield, is a symbol of comfort and solace. What other settings hold special meaning for Abigail or John? What do they represent?

2. How does Abigail’s attitude about her new country shift throughout the narrative? What is the resulting tone of the novel?

3. John Adams is portrayed as a man of immense contradictions: brilliant but vain, loving but cruel. How does his character evolve over the course of the story?

4. How does the frame structure of the novel—beginning and ending with moments of national crisis and personal reflection from an elderly Abigail—influence the story? 

5. The story is told entirely from Abigail’s first-person perspective. What are the benefits of seeing the American Revolution unfold through her eyes? Conversely, what limitations does this viewpoint create, and whose stories might be left untold? Is she a reliable narrator?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are a historical consultant for a film adaptation of A Founding Mother. Which scene do you believe would be the most important to get exactly right to capture the essence of Abigail’s character and her story? Why is that moment so important?

2. What if Charles Adams had survived his alcohol addiction? Picture a scene where a sober Charles is finally able to have a conversation with his father years later. What do you think they would say to each other?

3. Abigail’s final victory is compelling John to honor her will, which leaves her independently earned fortune to the women in her family. If you could design a monument to Abigail Adams, what would it look like, and what inscription would you choose to capture the spirit of her legacy?