The Dollhouse

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The story unfolds across two timelines, alternating between 1952 and 2016. How did this dual-narrative structure shape your reading experience? Did you find yourself more drawn to one timeline over the other, and why?

2. Fiona Davis is known for writing historical fiction centered on iconic New York City buildings. If you’ve read her other novels, like The Address or The Magnolia Palace, how did The Dollhouse compare in its use of setting? If this was the first book you’ve read by her, what was your impression of the Barbizon Hotel as a character in its own right?

3. The central mystery surrounding the tragedy on the terrace drives much of the plot. At what point did you begin to suspect the truth about Darby’s identity? What clues did the author plant that you found particularly effective or misleading?

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

1. The Barbizon was a hub for young women with powerful ambitions. Thinking about a time when you moved to a new place or began a new chapter in pursuit of a goal, how did your own experiences with ambition resonate with or differ from what the women in the novel face?

2. Darby and Esme’s friendship is both transformative and destructive. What does the novel suggest about the fine line between support, jealousy, and betrayal in intense friendships? In what ways did their bond feel authentic to you?

3. What does the idea of independence mean to you? How do the different paths toward self-sufficiency pursued by Darby, Rose, and Stella in their respective eras connect with your own understanding of what it means to be self-directed?

4. The Barbizon and the Flatted Fifth club profoundly shape Darby’s life and identity. Has a particular building or place ever played a significant role in your own life? How did that environment influence your personal growth or change your perspective?

5. Darby’s decision to defy her mother is a pivotal moment that sets her on a new course, free from her family’s expectations. Have you ever had a moment of rebellion that changed the direction of your life? What did that experience teach you about yourself and your values?

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

1. How does the Barbizon, with its mix of career-focused secretarial students and marriage-minded models, serve as a microcosm of the conflicting societal pressures on American women in the 1950s? Which of these pressures, if any, do you see still lingering in today’s culture?

2. The novel contrasts the propriety of the Barbizon with the subversive, multicultural world of New York’s bebop scene. What role do you think counter-cultural movements or artistic scenes play in challenging mainstream societal norms? Can you think of any contemporary equivalents to the Flatted Fifth club?

3. Rose’s boss wants to sensationalize Darby’s tragedy for viral content; Rose fights to tell a more nuanced story but breaks many ethical boundaries to do so. What does the novel say about the ethics of journalism, especially when it comes to real-life tragedy? How has the 24/7 news cycle and social media changed the way we consume these kinds of stories?

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

1. How does the dual-narrative structure, which reveals the tragic outcome early on, create dramatic irony and suspense in Darby’s timeline? How did knowing her eventual fate affect your interpretation of her choices and relationships?

2. The hotel’s nickname, “The Dollhouse,” is introduced by a male sexual predator who sees the residents as “pretty little dolls.” In what ways does the novel explore this metaphor? How does the Barbizon protect but objectify the women who live there?

3. Esme is a catalyst for Darby’s transformation, but she is also deeply manipulative. Is Esme a villain, a victim of her circumstances, or something more complex? What specific moments in the text most influenced your perception of her character?

4. What is the significance of the interconnected symbols of Darby’s scars and the veil she wears to conceal them? How does the veil transform from a physical object into a metaphor for her entire existence after the incident?

5. Tangible objects like Sam’s spice scrapbook and the Voice-O-Graph recording act as crucial links between the past and present. How does the author use these artifacts to bridge the 64-year gap between the timelines and propel Rose’s investigation forward?

6. This novel is one of many that explore the challenges of unearthing historical secrets. If you’ve read other historical mysteries, such as Kate Morton’s The House at Riverton, how does The Dollhouse’s approach to uncovering the past compare? Is this narrative strategy compelling for readers?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a playlist for The Dollhouse, what songs would you include for the 1952 timeline, beyond bebop jazz? What songs would capture Rose’s journey in 2016?

2. The story concludes with Rose securing a book deal. Imagine you are her editor. What advice would you give her about structuring her book on the women of the Barbizon to ensure that it honors their stories while also engaging a modern audience?

3. Imagine that you could add one final scene to the Epilogue, set a year after the book ends. What would that scene show us about Darby and Sam’s life together or about Rose’s new career as an author?