My Mrs. Brown (Norwich) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
We'll add the publisher's questions if and when they're available. In the meantime, use these LitLovers talking points to kick off a discussion for My Mrs. Brown...then take off on your own:

1. In what ways would you say Mrs. Brown is an anachronism in today's world? Do you know anyone like her?

2. In what way can this book be described as a modern fable? Or...a fairy tale (minus the fairies)?

3. What is it about the black dress that makes Mrs. Brown "have to have it"? Have you ever encountered something—a dress or other object—that completely captivated you?

4. Did you figure out (or suspect) the reason Emilia desires the dress? Or were you surprised?

5. Of all the kind souls who aid Mrs. Brown in her quest, who is your favorite and why? Who is the most important in helping her?

6. Here is what author William Norwich says he wants his take away to be for My Mrs. Brown:

...that being an American grown-up is actually an honorable thing, that balance is OK, that loneliness is inevitable and that underneath the superficial there is a life for all people. And it’s not going to be what you see or what they say. Quiet people are the ones you want to love and know. Quietude is good after all the noise we’ve gone through culturally.

Do you think Norwich succeeds in what he wants his readers to come away with?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)

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