Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for The Whisper Sister by Jennifer S. Brown

Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

These questions were originally posted on the author's website at https://www.jennifersbrown.com/book-groups/

1. Initially, Minnie is disappointed by America. What do you know of your family's immigration story? If you are an immigrant, how did your picture of the United States match up with the reality of the United States.
2. Minnie and Max change their names from Malka and Shmerka. In Eastern Europe Jewish tradition, babies are named for deceased relatives. Feige refuses to use their new names, saying, "Changing your name is an insult to your ancestors." Do you agree with her? Or with Ike who says, "Everyone gets an American name"? What do you think the names meant to each of them?
3. Feige wears a red ring to ward off the evil eye when she's pregnant. She also refuses to discuss her condition in fear of inviting in the evil eye. Does your family or community have superstitions that have been passed down? If so, what are they? Do you believe in superstitions?
4. Religion is a point of contention between Feige and Ike; Feige believes in God and Ike does not. Minnie is caught in the middle. What do you think Minnie believes? Why does she not feel like a "real" Jew?
5. Do you agree or disagree with how Minnie decided to take care of Gertie and Louise after Louise's arm broke. Had you been in her position, what would you have done?
6. How would you describe the personalities of Feige, Ike, Minnie, and Max? Which one do you identify with the most?
7. Sylvia and Minnie often got into trouble together. But Sylvia also helped Minnie. Do you consider Sylvia a good or bad influence on Minnie? Have you ever had a friendship like theirs?
8. If the family had remained intact, what do you think Minnie would have chosen to do with her life?
9. Minnie is immediately enamored with Duke. Are Duke and Ike alike in any ways? How did you feel about Duke when he and Minnie started dating? Do you think it's true that women like "bad boys"?
10. Holidays are extremely important to the family. Why do you think that Max and Minnie decided to not celebrate Passover with friends or family? Have you had holidays that you didn't want to celebrate?
11. Max vehemently demands that Minnie stay away from the bar. Minnie, of course, disobeys. Can you relate to this? Have you ever gone against a family member's wishes? Have they ever gone against yours?
12. What had you thought life was like in the 1920s? Were you surprised by anything?
13. Feige and Ike often fought yet were also tender with each other. Did you think their marriage was a strong one or a troubled one? How would you compare their marriage to the relationship of Duke and Minnie?
14. Despite Prohibition, drinking abounded. If you lived in the 1920s, would you have partaken? Or lived a law-abiding life as a tee-totaler? What comparisons can you make between Prohibition and issues of today?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Lake Union Publishing. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.