Variation

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death and mental illness

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Throughout Variation, Yarros presents a contrast between the competitive world of professional ballet and the supportive environment of Hudson’s family. How did these different settings shape your emotional connection to Allie’s journey and the novel as a whole?

2. Yarros explores how characters sacrifice their professional dreams for personal fulfillment in Variation. How does this theme compare to her approach in Fourth Wing, where characters also grapple with conflicting duties? What distinguishes Allie’s journey from those of Yarros’s other protagonists?

3. Variation features a revelation about Lina’s accident that recontextualizes much of Allie and Hudson’s past. How did this narrative choice affect your understanding of the characters and their motivations throughout the story?

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

1. Allie struggles with the pressure to live up to her family’s expectations, particularly after her sister’s death. How have family expectations—spoken or unspoken—shaped your own life choices? Have you ever felt caught between what others wanted for you and what you wanted for yourself?

2. Hudson postpones his dreams of working in Alaska to help his sister raise June. Have you ever put your personal aspirations on hold to support someone else? What did that experience teach you about balance and sacrifice?

3. Throughout the novel, the phrase “five minutes” is a mantra for both Allie and Hudson (9, 29). Do you have a similar phrase or approach that helps you push through difficult moments? How has it shaped your resilience?

4. Social media intensifies the pressure Allie feels during her recovery, with critics commenting on her abilities and future potential. How do you manage external opinions about your work or personal choices, especially in our increasingly connected world?

5. June discovers ballet through her biological connection to the Rousseau family, suggesting an inherent passion passed through generations. Have you ever felt drawn to an activity or interest that connects you to your family history? How did that discovery affect your sense of identity?

6. By the end of the novel, Allie discovers that fulfillment comes from balancing her passion for ballet with her love for Hudson. Are there areas of your life where you’ve found a similar balance between competing priorities or passions?

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

1. Variation provides an unflinching glimpse into the hierarchical world of professional ballet. Does this portrayal align with or challenge what you know about elite performance environments in other artistic or athletic fields?

2. The novel explores how Sophie’s frontotemporal dementia affects her relationship with her daughters. How does this portrayal contribute to broader conversations about aging parents, caretaking responsibilities, and reconciling with difficult family histories?

3. The ballet world depicted in the novel reveals how power can be abused through manipulation and competition. How does Vasily’s exploitation of Lina and her pregnancy reflect broader societal conversations about power dynamics in professional environments, particularly in the arts?

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

1. The novel alternates between Allie and Hudson’s perspectives. How does this dual-perspective approach compare to Yarros’s narrative choices in Iron Flame? What effect does it have on your understanding of the characters’ motivations and internal conflicts?

2. Cape Cod represents different things to Allie and Hudson. How does Yarros use this location to reflect the characters’ emotional states and development throughout the story?

3. The Rousseau family ring is a symbol whose meaning shifts throughout the novel. How does the ring’s significance change for Allie, and what does this evolution represent in terms of her character development?

4. Sophie is portrayed as an antagonist for much of the novel, but the reveal of her dementia adds complexity to her character. How does this revelation affect your understanding of her actions? Does it successfully complicate the novel’s portrayal of antagonism?

5. Yarros uses the metaphor of “ropes” tethering Allie to her mother and her guilt. What other metaphors does she employ throughout the novel, and how do they contribute to the themes of constraint, freedom, and transformation?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to choreograph a ballet based on Allie and Hudson’s story, what key scenes would you include? How would you represent their journey of separation, reunion, and reconciliation through dance and music?

2. Imagine a conversation between Lina and Allie that takes place five years after the epilogue. What might they say to each other about June, the choices made, and the paths their lives have taken?

3. The epilogue shows Allie and Hudson’s life five years after their reunion. Create an alternative ending where Allie chooses to stay with the Company and perform in Equinox. How might both characters’ lives unfold, and what would be gained and lost in this different resolution?

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