The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The story is told entirely through Emma’s private journal entries. How did you feel about experiencing the plot through her witty and sometimes unreliable first-person perspective? How might it compare to other diary-style works you’ve read, such as Bridget Jones’s Diary (1996) or Where’d You Go, Bernadette (2012)?

2. This novella blends historical fiction, social satire, romance, and even a bit of a heist. Which of these elements resonated most with you, and why do you think you connected with them? Did you find the mix of tones and genres effective?

3. As the second book in a series, how well did you think it stood on its own? For those who read the first volume, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 (2019), in what ways did this installment build on the characters and conflicts you were already familiar with? For those new to the series, were you able to jump in easily?

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

1. Emma is forced to constantly perform a role in society. Think about a time you’ve felt the pressure to present a certain version of yourself. What aspects of Emma’s internal struggle to remain true to herself while navigating social expectations felt familiar to you?

2. The “Conclave of the Janes” unites through their shared love for the smuggled copy of Jane Eyre (119). Have you ever been part of a group that bonded over a shared book, film, or cause? What did that shared passion mean to the group’s identity?

3. Emma’s banker advises her to be “creative” and “bold” to achieve financial independence. Can you recall a time in your life when conventional methods to address a challenge weren’t working, and you had to find a more inventive solution?

4. The friendship between Emma and Mr. Pierce develops through secret notes, bypassing formal social rules. Have you ever had a meaningful connection begin or grow in an unexpected way? How did that affect the overall relationship?

5. Arabella takes a pragmatic approach to marriage as a means of securing her future, while Emma hopes for something more. Which character’s perspective on relationships and security did you relate to more, and why?

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

1. Cousin Archibald’s outburst blaming the Married Women’s Property Act of 1882 for society’s problems is a direct reaction to Emma asserting her financial authority. What does his complaint reveal about the anxieties surrounding shifts in gender roles during that era? Where do you see similar anxieties playing out in society today?

2. The London Social Season is depicted as a high-stakes market where young women are strategic assets. How does the novella critique the immense pressure on women to secure a “good match”? In what ways have societal expectations around marriage and partnerships evolved since the 1880s, and in what ways have they persisted?

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

1. Beyond being a plot device, what is the significance of the smuggled, three-volume edition of Jane Eyre? How does it contribute to the themes of the novella?

2. Emma eventually throws away the “lucky-unlucky marble” she received from Maxwell. What does this act represent in her journey of processing grief and claiming her own future?

3. Discuss the three prominent men in Emma’s life: Mr. Pierce, Roland Sutherland, and the Duke of Islington. How does each man reflect a different potential future for Emma? What facets of her personality does she reveal in her interactions with each of them?

4. Jack Hollingstell acts as an archetypal trickster figure, operating outside of society’s moral codes. What role does he play in advancing the novella’s exploration of women’s struggle for autonomy? What does Emma’s deal with him suggest about the compromises required to fight an unjust system?

5. Aunt Eugenia is both an enforcer of oppressive social rules and the person who gives Emma the tools to navigate them. How does her character embody the complex and often contradictory position of women in a patriarchal society?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you were asked to adapt this book for the screen. Which subplot or character would be the most challenging to translate visually, and how would you approach it?

2. If you could write a journal entry from the perspective of another character on the day of the disastrous dinner party, who would you choose? How would Cousin Archibald, Mr. Pierce, or Agnes describe that chaotic evening?

3. Emma and Mr. Pierce agree to turn her unused salon into his photography studio. If Mr. Pierce were to take a formal portrait of Emma at the end of the novella, what do you think it would look like? What aspects of her character and her journey would he try to capture?