Starling House

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Did you expect Opal to become a warden of Starling House? What clues in the text led you to expect it?
• Did you expect Opal and Arthur to get together? Were there any points in the novel you thought they might not end up together?
• Harrow draws from several different genres for her novel. What genre do you think Starling House best fits into?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

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

• Have you ever felt like an outcast? Do you think Opal’s hatred of her hometown was justified?
• How did you feel when you learned The Underland was a real place in the novel? 
• Do you think all the characters in the novel got what they deserved? Were you hoping for a different ending?
• What emotions did you feel while reading this novel? Were there any parts that made you more emotional than others? 
• How did you feel when you discovered Opal and Jasper were Gravelys? Did you empathize with Opal more before or after this revelation?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

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

• What do you think Harrow is trying to say about race, gender, and class in the novel? Do you think she makes her points effectively?
• Have you read any other Southern Gothic novels? How does Starling House fit in or stand out from the genre?

4. Literary Analysis 

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

• What is the importance of the novel being set in the American South? Do you think the novel’s themes would have been different if set in a Northern state?
• What do you think the beasts of The Underland symbolize? Do they mean something different in The Underland as a place and The Underland as a book?
• How did the frequent references to ancient mythology contribute to the symbolism and themes of the novel?
• What do the Gravely brothers and their descendants say about the role of power in the novel? Is Opal more similar or different than the other Gravelys?
• What is the importance of storytelling in the novel? How does the way stories are told differ from character to character? 

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If you were in Opal’s place, would you have ever gone to Starling House? Would you have stayed when you began to learn about its past?
• Imagine the novel was set in a different time and place. How would it be different if it weren’t set in the contemporary South?