BOOK CLUBS

If New Girl in Little Cove is your book club pick, thank you so much! Please feel free to use the questions below (but they do contain some spoilers.) Even better, invite me along for a chat. There’s no charge and it would be my pleasure. My novel came out during lockdown (remember that…) so I’m adept at Zooming my way into living rooms around the world. I can make almost any time zone work thanks to my dear friend, Coffee. I’m happy to do a reading and/or answer questions. I’ve even been known to ask a few of my own. (what can I say, I’m a former teacher… but I promise not to assign any homework.) If you’re interested, email me direct at damhnait@damhnaitmonaghan.com.

 BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

**SPOILER ALERT! PLOT DETAILS REVEALED**

 1.     One of the themes explored in the book is female friendship. How does the friendship between Rachel and Sheila compare to that of Lucille and Biddy?

 2.     The book is set in the 1980s when the Catholic Church was powerful and influential, particularly in rural areas of Newfoundland. Lucille and the Holy Dusters attend Mass every week and help clean the Church.  But they also poke fun at Father Frank. Why do you think they hold these seemingly opposite views and do you think the Church remains as powerful today? Why or why not?

 3.     Just as Rachel seems to be developing a social life in Little Cove with the Holy Dusters and playing with Phonse at the pub, she makes a sudden move to Clayville. Why do you think she does this?

 4.     Abortion in the 1980s remained taboo, especially for Catholics. Compare Cynthia’s situation to Rachel’s. What impact did geography/religion have on their choices and those of women in general? Do you think society’s attitude towards abortion is still evolving? Why?

 5.     Rachel makes some fundamental misjudgements about Little Cove and its inhabitants. Why do you think this happens? How does her understanding/character change over the course of the novel?

 6.     “Grief is best shared,” says Lucille. “Like laughter and music…” Do you agree? Compare how Lucille, Rachel, and Grace (Doug’s mother) deal with grief.

 7.     Doug makes an impassioned defence of the Newfoundland dialect and expressions to Rachel. How did the author’s use of these features enhance or detract from your reading experience?

 8.     What did you think of Rachel’s reaction to Cynthia’s pregnancy? How might her own experience have influenced her actions? How might the response of Father Frank and Patrick to Rachel’s actions differ today, if at all?

 9.     Doug and Geri were the “golden couple” of Little Cove. Why do you think they tried to fool the community about their relationship? Were you fooled? Why was Rachel?

 10.  When they first meet, Father Frank advises Rachel that she must set an example for the students. Do you think she’s a good role model? Is Doug?

 11.  Rachel knows virtually nothing about Little Cove when she takes the job in Little Cove and is quite isolated there. How might her experience be different if the story took place today?