Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Describe your experience reading the book. What elements made this book an enjoyable or unenjoyable read?

2. What do you think of the novel’s ending? What is the effect of not depicting the reunion between Jenny and her son? How did it affect your overall reading experience?

3. How does Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame compare to other books about reality television, such as Christina Lauren’s The True Love Experiment or Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive?

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

1. Throughout the novel, Jenny uses her family’s recipes to feel close to people she has lost. Share the family recipes that bring up important memories or feelings for you.

2. If you could be on any reality television show, which show would you choose? How do you think being cast on the show would affect your life?

3. Jenny and her husband Bernard spend time with people of all ages, including their niece Rose, their great-niece Poppy, and Jenny’s fellow contestant Azeez. How have intergenerational relationships shaped your life?

4. Jenny does not face real criticism as a contestant on Britain Bakes, and the media treats her kindly when her secret is revealed. Do you believe a 77-year-old woman would be a success on a similar show in real life? Would the media treatment of her secret be respectful?

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

1. How does the novel depict the relationship between reality television and the real world? How does participating in the show affect Jenny’s sense of herself and her place in the world?

2. How do the flashback scenes reflect the challenges facing women in the first half of the 20th century? How has the world changed since then?

3. How is the fictional show Britain Bakes related to the real-life show Great British Bake-Off or other reality television shows? Did the show ring true to you? What did it contribute to contemporary conversation about reality television?

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

1. How does the structure of the novel—alternating between flashbacks to Jenny’s pregnancy and her present on Britain Bakes—add tension to the novel? How does it impact Jenny’s characterization?

2. Discuss the characterization of Azeez and Sorcha, the two contestants who compete in the final with Jenny. How do they reflect common tropes in reality television?

3. How does the novel’s setting in the United Kingdom impact the main characters and the plot? How might the novel be different if it were set in the United States or another country?

4. Discuss the use of Jenny’s cookbook as a symbol of the connection between food and memory. How do these recipes connect Jenny to her past?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the roles of Jenny and Bernard Quinn? Which elements of the novel would you focus on in your adaptation? Are there any you would edit out?

2. If you were writing a book about reality television, which show would you choose to fictionalize? What changes would you make to distinguish it from the original?

3. Imagine a cookbook based on recipes from your family’s history. What recipes would you highlight? What story would the cookbook tell?