Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your experience reading the dual timeline narrative? Did you connect more strongly with Clara in the 1920s or Virginia in the 1970s? What do you think made that particular story resonate with you?

2. Fiona Davis is known for writing historical fiction set in iconic New York City landmarks. If you’ve read her other books, like The Dollhouse or The Lions of Fifth Avenue, how did The Masterpiece compare for you? What do you think makes Grand Central Terminal such a compelling setting for a story like this?

3. Which scene or moment in the book has stuck with you the most since you finished reading? What made it so memorable or powerful for you?

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

1. Clara has to fight relentlessly against the perception that her illustration work is less valuable than the fine art created by her male colleagues. Have you ever felt that your own skills or passions were undervalued or dismissed by others? How did you navigate that experience?

2. What did you think of Virginia Clay’s journey from being an insecure temp in a “dumpy” terminal to a passionate activist and student? Can you recall a time in your life when you had to redefine yourself or find a new sense of purpose?

3. The novel explores how both Clara and Virginia use forms of disguise to survive, whether it’s Clara’s Totto persona or Virginia’s initial efforts to hide her mastectomy scar. Thinking about your own life, in what small or large ways do you present a curated version of yourself to the world? What does the novel suggest about why we feel the need to do this?

4. Both protagonists take significant risks to stand up for what they believe in. What do you think is the most courageous act a character performs in the novel? Has a book ever inspired you to be more outspoken or take a stand on an issue you care about?

5. Levon’s passion for art is all-consuming, while Clara must balance her creative drive with the practical need to earn a living. How do you balance your own passions with life’s practical demands? Does Clara’s career path feel more like a compromise or a savvy strategy to you?

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

1. The book vividly portrays the rigid gender roles of the 1920s, especially in the professional art world. In what ways do you think things have changed for women artists and professionals today? Are there any aspects of Clara’s struggle for legitimacy that still feel surprisingly relevant?

2. Virginia’s story is set against the backdrop of New York City’s 1970s fiscal crisis and a burgeoning preservation movement. Can you think of any current debates in your own community or country about preserving historical landmarks versus pursuing new development? What values do you think should guide these decisions?

3. The novel subtly connects Clara to another trailblazing female artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, whose name provides a key clue. What similarities do you see between the real-life struggles of artists like O’Keeffe and the fictional challenges Clara faces in gaining recognition in a male-dominated field?

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

1. How does the author use Grand Central Terminal as more than just a setting? In what ways does the physical state of the building in each timeline reflect the inner lives of Clara and Virginia and the broader social conditions of their eras?

2. Let’s discuss the central theme of The Erasure and Rediscovery of Female Legacy. Beyond Clara’s story, where else in the novel did you see this theme play out? How does Virginia’s own journey of self-discovery contribute to this theme?

3. What is the significance of the “Clyde” pseudonym? How does this disguise allow Clara artistic freedom while also contributing to the erasure of her own name and legacy?

4. Consider the two main men in Clara’s life, Oliver Smith and Levon Zakarian. How do they function as foils for one another, and what does each relationship reveal about Clara’s desires, vulnerabilities, and artistic ambitions?

5. How does the recurring motif of hidden identities and disguises drive the plot forward in both timelines? What do you think the novel is suggesting about the nature of truth, history, and the secrets we keep?

6. What do you make of the Lorettes’ role in the story? How do they represent the institutional forces that both exploit artists and corrupt the historical record for personal gain?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. You’ve been asked to curate the first major retrospective of Clara Darden’s work at the Museum of Modern Art. Besides The Siren, which of her other works described in the book would you choose to feature, and why? What story would you want the exhibition to tell about her career?

2. What kind of title and design would you create for a newspaper article exposing the Lorettes’ decades-long art theft scheme? How would you frame the story to capture public attention and ensure Clara gets the credit she deserves?

3. From whose perspective, other than Clara’s or Virginia’s, would you have most wanted to read a chapter? What do you think a chapter from Levon’s, Ruby’s, or even Mrs. Lorette’s point of view might have added to the story?