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It's been years since I've read Kate Quinn, so I'm very glad #authoramonth had her listed for April. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I couldn't stop reading. Pixel and I went on extra long dog walks all to give me more time with this audiobook. The ending did not disappoint. Highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Texreader On my tbr! I can‘t wait!! 4h

Karisa I read it with #LiteraryCrew and loved it too! I swear the people around me are tired of me trying to get them to read it. 😅 3h

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mcctrish

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

I‘m dilly dallying with my #literaryclub #buddyread I will join when I can hopefully sooner than later ( I‘m on page 100)

Librarybelle I think a lot of us are still reading, so no worries! 16h

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Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

It‘s time for the #LiteraryCrew monthly book discussion! I have 7 questions posted. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag. Stop by and answer whenever!

May‘s book is Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch!

mcctrish, DebinHawaii, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, BethM, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf

tpixie Thanks! 16h

Karisa Thank you! I loved this book 😊 3h

38 likes2 comments

Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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7. Discuss the murder mystery. Were you expecting it to play a larger role in the story? Were you surprised by who the victim and who the perpetrator were? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CatLass007 I definitely didn‘t see any of that coming. Quinn‘s characters often go through all kinds of trauma but in the end things generally work out for the best. The ways in which they all work out are often unexpected. 10h

Sace I was very surprised by the ending! It added to the enjoyment. 9h

Karisa I was relieved that none of my favorite characters had died 😅 It kept the book moving forward but wasn‘t really the most important part. I liked seeing the author pull that off. So clever! 3h

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Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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6. Food plays a significant part in the story. Discuss the symbolic meaning of the Briar Club‘s communal meals and how they foster a sense of belonging. ~from Plainfield Area Public Library #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Karisa Food does bring people together. Grace was wonderful for realizing it and taking a chance on her housemates. 3h

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Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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5. Examine the themes of secrecy, deception, and truth-telling in the novel. How do the characters‘ hidden pasts and double lives affect their relationships? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Jerdencon I think they all had their own baggage that they brought which affected how they interacted with each other and their views. 11h

CatLass007 I think the saddest example of secret-keeping was Fliss. She had so much negative self talk. When she was finally able to be honest with her husband it was so uplifting. 10h

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Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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4. Discuss the role Grace March plays in bringing the women together. What does her character represent in terms of female empowerment and community building? ~from Plainfield Area Public Libry Reading Guide

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Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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3. Briarwood house itself narrates some of the chapters. How does the house‘s perspective shape the reader‘s understanding of the events and characters? Did you enjoy hearing from an inanimate object? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Jerdencon Honestly when I first read that the house was talking I was a little put off and found it gimmicky but in the end it didn‘t bother me too much. 11h

CatLass007 I love a good fantasy! This slight fantastical aspect gave insight into all the characters effect on one another and their environment. (edited) 10h

Sace I loved the house‘s pov! 9h

Karisa @Sace I enjoyed it too. Cranky but loveable place 3h

7 likes4 comments

Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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2. The point of view rotates among the women of the boarding home. Frequently
when we get to a new point of view we find that the truth differs from the
perceptions that others have. Why do you think Quinn chose to tell the story in
this way and what is she trying to say with it? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Jerdencon I think it helped keep the suspense going this way. 11h

CatLass007 I enjoyed getting the perspectives of each boarder. It‘s a rare talent to be able to write something so difficult so well. Julia Quinn is a new “must read” author for me. And since I listened to the audiobook, I appreciated the narrator‘s ability to give each character her own distinctive voice. 10h

Karisa I liked the rotating POV‘s. Usually I get connected to one character and don‘t want to move onto another. But somehow she really made it work. 9h

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Librarybelle

The Briar Club | Kate Quinn

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1. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Red Scare and McCarthyism. How do
these historical events impact the lives and choices of the characters? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Information about the Red Scare and McCarthyism linked in comments.

Librarybelle History Channel info on the Red Scare and McCarthyism: https://www.history.com/articles/red-scare 17h

Jerdencon I found the time period very interesting because even though I had heard about the red scares I never knew much about the specifics. Always like to learn something new when reading. 11h

CatLass007 There were a lot of “witch hunts” during that time. This is the first time I‘ve read a book that references it. There were a couple of episodes of MASH that brought home just what a frightening time it was. Loyalty oaths and naming names. Lives were ruined. The TV show Babylon 5 had seasons where a different type of McCarthyism was rampant. I don‘t think it affected some of the members of the Briar Club much at all. But for others the (cont)⬇️ 10h

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CatLass007 events were catastrophic. And the paranoia about anyone who was even remotely different was sheer insanity. 10h

Karisa @CatLass007 Sounds familiar to some of the things happening today! It is scary stuff! 9h

Karisa @Jerdencon I like to learn something new while reading too. I think I‘d only heard mentions here and there to the Red Scare and McCarthyism before. I know that Marvelous Mrs. Maisel mentions it 😊 9h

CatLass007 @Jerdencon @karisa I just saw this article in which a judge compares deportation threats to the Red Scare: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/judge-release-mohsen-mahdawi-columbia-student-e5... 9h

Karisa @CatLass007 It‘s so sad how many lives are being hurt 3h

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