The Second Mrs. Astor: A Heartbreaking Historical Novel of the Titanic

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

1. Madeleine faces intense public scrutiny throughout her relationship with Jack. When have you navigated situations where your personal choices were judged by others, even if on a smaller scale than what Madeleine experienced?

2. The novel explores how wealth and privilege create insulation from ordinary concerns and yet can also lead to isolation. In what ways have you observed this paradox in contemporary society or in your own experiences?

3. Madeleine’s relationship with her sister Katherine provides important emotional support throughout the story. How have your own sibling relationships or close friendships shaped important decisions in your life?

4. Despite their vast age difference, Madeleine and Jack form a genuine connection. Have you ever formed a meaningful relationship with someone from a different generation? What challenges and rewards did this present?

5. In the aftermath of tragedy, Madeleine must rebuild her life while preserving memories for her son. How have you or others you know preserved important memories or family stories for future generations?

6. The carnelian beads Jack gives Madeleine become a powerful memento after his death. What objects in your life hold similar emotional significance, connecting you to important people or moments?

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

1. The novel vividly depicts the rigid social hierarchy of Gilded Age New York. Do you see similar social stratifications operating in contemporary society? Are they less or more formalized?

2. Throughout the novel, newspapers and journalists constantly intrude upon Madeleine’s life. How does this historical portrayal of media and celebrity compare to today’s social media and online exposure of public figures?

3. The sinking of the Titanic is often viewed as marking the end of an era, challenging assumptions about technological progress and class privilege. What modern events might have similarly disrupted our collective sense of security or social order?

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

1. How does Abé use foreshadowing throughout the novel to build suspense, despite readers likely knowing the Titanic’s fate before beginning the book?

2. Which of the novel’s symbols—including ships, jewelry, and portraits—did you find most effective? How did they enhance your understanding of the characters or themes?

3. Vincent is both a foil to Madeleine and also represents the social resistance to her marriage to Jack? How does this character balance these roles?

4. Nonfiction accounts like Walter Lord’s A Night to Remember focus primarily on the technical aspects of the Titanic disaster, while Abé centers her fictional narrative on personal relationships. How does this intimate focus affect your understanding of the historical event compared to more documentary-style accounts?

5. What role does setting play in the novel, from the mansions of Fifth Avenue, to the Egyptian Nile, to the Titanic itself? How do these various environments reflect or influence Madeleine’s emotional state?

6. How do the temporary disappearance of Kitty during their Egyptian journey and other seemingly minor incidents function as narrative foreshadowing for the coming tragedy?