The Princess of Las Vegas

How does the novel use the tension between luck and fate to drive its characters’ decisions and shape the narrative? Discuss whether the characters are active agents of their destinies or pawns of chance, supported by textual evidence.

Choose one thing Crissy does to prepare for her Diana impersonation. How does that act reflect The Curse and Chaos of Celebrity? How does Crissy’s preparation blur the line between authenticity and performance?

Crissy makes several literary allusions throughout the novel. Choose one of these allusions to research and explore. How does this allusion deepen the narrative’s themes or reframe Crissy’s identity? Discuss how the allusion connects to the broader exploration of memory, identity, or performance in the novel.

How would the novel be different if Crissy’s chapters were written in the third-person point of view, and Betsy’s were written in the first-person point of view? What would be lost or gained if their perspectives were swapped, and how would it impact the novel’s themes of identity and intimacy?

What is the purpose of Marisa’s vignettes that precede each chapter? How do they contribute to the reader’s understanding of Marisa’s perspective and her role in the family dynamics?

Spend some time researching Las Vegas. How does the city become a character in the narrative? How does the city’s unique history, culture, and symbolism influence the characters and mirror their struggles?

Watch some of the recent adaptations of Diana’s life. Compare and contrast The Princess of Las Vegas with recent portrayals of Diana. How does the novel add to the cultural conversation about Diana’s legacy and the themes of celebrity, identity, and performance?

Why does Betsy never tell Crissy what actually happened to their mother? How does this decision highlight the theme of The Healing Power of Family?