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Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Netherwood

1. NETHERWOOD draws heavily on class distinctions in early twentieth-century Britain—did you find the attitudes discussed surprising or shocking?

2. How would you compare and contrast Eve and Henrietta?

3. What is the central theme of the book and how did it resonate with you?

4. There is much food imagery in this novel. Can you explain why imagery is so important in the story and how effective it is?

5. How are relationships between the classes portrayed in the book? Who is your favorite/least favorite character, and how true did each of them feel?

6. What do you think will happen in the next book in the series?

7. There are a number of significant—and very different—male characters in this book. In what ways did each of them help or hinder Eve?

8. There are various different businesses described in this novel—how does working life differ from today?

9. What do you think Anna's presence in Netherwood says about the political situation in the wider world?

10. The turn of the twentieth-century was a time of great political change in Britain too—how does NETHERWOOD reflect the catalysts for that?

11. Do you think Eve, Henrietta, and Anna are typical of their era and class?

Netherwood
by Jane Sanderson