Book Club Discussion Questions for The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Early Anesthetics and our BookBrowse Review of The Girl in His Shadow.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Though she's more qualified, Nora worries about being replaced by Daniel. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do about it?
2. Dr. Croft often resorts to disreputable methods of getting subjects, such as paying grave robbers or taking advantage of grieving family members. For him, the ends justify the means. Do you agree with him? To what extent?
3. Throughout the story, Nora conducts a series of experiments and independent studies. What was she hoping to learn?
4. We get to see nineteenth century medical techniques through Nora's eyes. Which treatments surprised you the most? Are there any techniques that carried over into modern medicine?
5. Nora is one of only a few women in a field dominated by men. Do you see any parallels between her situation in the nineteenth century and today?
6. Dr. Harry Trimble finds himself in a difficult situation when Dr. Silas Vickery blackmails him into speaking at the trial. Do you think Harry really had a choice in betraying Nora? What would you have done?
7. Compare Daniel's relationship with Mae and his relationship with Nora. How are they different? Are they similar in any way?
8. Daniel comes from an upper-class family while Nora and Harry come from the working class. How does socioeconomic background affect how they are treated by other people?
9. While Nora originally disliked Daniel, the two eventually grow to love each other. What brought them together, and why?
10. What did you think about Nora's decision to speak up for herself, though it results in public disgrace and punishment?

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