Book Club Discussion Questions for 'Still Lives' by Maria Hummel
Still Lives by Maria Hummel is perfect for crime novel-lovers who also want a bit of depth. It’s one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks which is always a hint that a book is worth a read — especially since we loved her past picks like Little Fires Everywhere and Where the Crawdads Sing. In Summer 2018, when Reese selected it for her book club, it was labelled “her boldest choice yet!” So, let’s get the discussion going.
Discussion Questions
Are you a usual reader of crime novels, or was this an out-of-the-ordinary read for you?
Maggie couldn’t bear the sight of some of Kim Lord’s works. Was this because Maggie thought they were too gruesome? Or because she wasn’t ready to receive the underlying meaning?
Was Maggie’s coming of age / coming of independence point-of-view relatable?
Are you someone that enjoys true crime stories? Do you feel that this “enjoyment” contributes to the exploitation of victims (in this case female victims)? Or, what is it about crime stories that grips the public so deeply?
Have you been to Los Angeles? Did you find the descriptions of the city accurate?
Maggie both has friends, but also seems lonely. How would you categorize her relationships?
How would you summarize the main message Maria Hummel is conveying in Still Lives? Do you agree that this is a feminist novel?
Why did Hummel select “Still Lives" as the title for the book?
WHAT ARE YOU READING NEXT?
Cameron Bruns Ewing is the managing editor of Just Us Gals. She works in Sales at HubSpot while also pursuing a degree in environmental sustainability from University College Dublin.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
