Lotus

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What did you like about Lotus? What did you dislike? 

2. What moments in Lotus were the most impactful? Were there any scenes that left you feeling especially engrossed or annoyed? Explain why.

3. Compare Lotus to another book from the Still Beating World trilogy such as Still Beating or The Stars Are On Our Side. How do the other books change your view of secondary characters like Gabe or Tabitha? How did this book shape your understanding of the trilogy as a whole?

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

1. What character did you most identify with? Why? 

2. The novel grapples with loss and uncertainty, with both Sydney and Gabe being especially impacted by Oliver’s long absence. Have you ever lost a friend or loved one? How did your emotions and experiences compare to that of the characters?

3. Have you ever struggled with navigating sex and romantic connection in your own dating life? How do the characters’ dating experiences and approaches compare with your own?

4. How did Lotus impact your connection to your memories? How do your memories shape your identity and/or contribute to your present existence?

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

1. Analyze the book’s handling of trauma. Does Hartmann provide a nuanced or simplified view of trauma? Is there any way in which the book sensationalizes and/or presents a potentially problematic handling of this subject matter? Why or why not?

2. How does the novel depict the cultural phenomena and society of the 1990s? In what ways is it an accurate or inaccurate representation of the decade? 

3. Sydney explains to Oliver that the “dark romance” genre is about fantasy and escapism, not necessarily a reflection of what she really wants in a real-life relationship. How does this conversation reflect broader cultural discourses around controversial fiction? What are your own views on the relationship between fiction and reality?

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

1. How does the book’s narrative structure affect the protagonists’ characterization and/or build narrative tension? How did the alternating narration shape your reading experience?

2. In what ways do the main characters, such as Sydney and Oliver, or important secondary characters, like Gabe, undergo important changes over the course of their character arcs? How have they changed by the novel’s end?

3. Analyze how the novel uses humor to diffuse narrative tension and/or to provide humorous commentary on modern culture. What are some instances of humor in the novel? What is the wider significance of each of these instances?

4. Compare Lotus to a book that deals with similar themes, such as J.T. Geissinger’s dark romance Perfect Strangers (2019), Emma Donoghue’s thriller Room (2010), or James Patterson’s murder mystery Kiss the Girls (1995). How are these texts different or similar in their portrayal of trauma, memory, and/or abduction?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Hartmann includes a playlist at the end of the book. Add to her playlist or make your own, letting the characters inspire your selections.

2. Oliver is a skilled cook, and Sydney is a struggling cook. Suggest recipe ideas for a recipe book that represents their characters and relationship.

3. Before Oliver proposes to Sydney, he draws the scene in a comic. Create a similar situation. Draw or write something good you want to happen, then try to make it occur.