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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz

1. Did you have a quinceañera, a sweet sixteen, or a bat mitzvah? What did it mean to you? To your loved ones?

2. Traditional quinceañeras have deep ties to Catholicism. How is religion treated in this novel? In your opinion, is it a good thing that traditionally religious celebrations (like the quinceañera) are becoming increasingly secular? Why?

3. There are several stereotypes that this novel plays with and ultimately diffuses. For example, Mocte describes Cynthia as “the white girl from Kansas.” However, she is probably more familiar with Mexican folk music than any of the other characters in the novel, as she is in the mariachi band. Can you name some other stereotypes this novel entertains and then turns on their heads?

4. When Ana first meets Montalvo, she is obviously struck by his physical presence. Although she senses his interest in her, she does not allow herself to enter a relationship with him. What do you think of her reaction? Is it noble? Should Ana have been more responsive to his advances?

5. Do the young adults in the novel see the quinceañera as merely an opportunity to have a party, or do they attach greater significance to it?

6. What happened to Esteban and Ana’s marriage? Was it just the indiscretion that drove them apart?

7. What do you think of Montalvo’s self-absorption? Do you see it as a manifestation of the artist maintaining his autonomy, or a selfish and immature approach to life?

8. There are early clues that Montalvo may not be as wonderful as he seems. Can you name some of them? Were you surprised by his behavior when he revealed his ultimate plans to Ana?

9. Near the end of the novel, Beatriz asks Ana if the quinceañera is commemorating “the death of a girl or the birth of a woman.” What is your opinion?

10. Ana protected her children by not telling them the truth about their father. Her children continued to look up to Esteban and blamed Ana for the separation, and yet she still didn’t tell them about Esteban’s affair. Why do you think she did this?

Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz
by Belinda Acosta

  • Publication Date: August 11, 2009
  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
  • ISBN-10: 044654051X
  • ISBN-13: 9780446540513