SPOILER ALERT! Do you want to explore some of the themes in Eden’s Daughter? The following questions will help you dig a little deeper into the story. They are also perfect for book club discussions. But they do contain spoilers, so beware!
Would the pressure Eden experienced to give up her baby in 1975 exist today under similar circumstances? How have attitudes toward pregnant, unwed mothers changed over the decades?
Ava was conceived under unusual circumstances. Were Eden’s actions that day understandable or inexcusable?
Eden and Curtis endured severe bullying on the school bus. In turn, Eden and her friends ruthlessly mocked Celeste for years. Discuss the bullying that occurred while you were in school. What were the long-term effects of that behaviour?
Eden’s best friends reject her after she reveals her pregnancy. Why do you think their reaction was so harsh?
Eden describes Celeste as a simple person, but she proves to be a loyal friend with an enormous heart. In addition to Celeste, what other characters in the book revealed depths you might not have expected?
While living with Monroe, Eden seems unable to leave a bad situation. Why do you think she can’t find the courage to help herself in those years? What ultimately prompts her slide into despair?
A mother’s intuition can be a powerful thing. In Eden’s case, it borders on the supernatural. Have you experienced or witnessed a time when a mother seemed to know the unknowable about her child?
Was Barbie’s decision to leave George Senior an act of selfishness or a matter of self-respect?
Eden feels certain she will never forgive her parents for forcing her to give Ava up. Do you believe she has fully forgiven them by the end of the novel?
Discuss how George Senior, George Junior, and Gilbert acted heroically to help Eden gain custody of her child.
What do you think happens to Eden, Gilbert, and Ava? Will they form a stable family unit? Will Eden be able to keep her promise never to drink alcohol again?
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