Book Club Discussion Questions for Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

1. Marie-Helene Bertino's Beautyland is a stellar coming-of-age novel that traces Adina Giorno's life cycle on Earth, from her childhood and adolescence in Philadelphia to her adult years in New York City. Which phase of Adina's life resonated with you the most, and why?
2. Revisit Adina's transmissions throughout Beautyland. Which ones were your favorites? When did they surprise you, make you laugh, or teach you something new?
3. The novel employs a unique narrative style, interweaving flashes of humor and heartache, realism and the otherworldly into short and vivid episodes. Discuss the book's distinctive approach and pacing. How did it enrich your reading experience?
4. Adina and her Earth mother, Térèse, are the "binary stars" (3) of Beautyland. Delve into their remarkable relationship. What are their strengths? What challenges do they face? How does their motherdaughter dynamic compare to other mother-daughter relationships you've encountered in fiction and in real life?
5. The search for home is central to Adina's journey. Where is home for her at the beginning of Beautyland? How does her understanding of home deepen and evolve throughout the novel?
6. Adina discovers a kindred spirit in Toni. What makes their bond so special? When you were growing up, did you have a friendship similar to Adina's connection with Toni? If so, how did your experiences compare with what unfolds in the novel?
7. Adina's summer at the shore culminates with her encounters with Amadeo and the "J girls" (69). Revisit this pivotal moment in Adina's life. What realities about human behavior, both good and bad, does it reveal to her?
8. Discuss Adina's seesaw relationship with her superiors. When is she happiest with them? When is she frustrated by their actions or replies? Why do you think Adina continues to fax transmissions even after her superiors stop responding?
9. Toward the end of the Red Supergiant (Work) section of the book, Adina departs for Utah, only to pivot from her plans: "Fear has enabled a broader adventure" (165). Discuss this event. What "fears" inspire Adina to change direction? What new adventure does it usher into her life?
10. Before leaving Philadelphia, Adina shares her secret origin with her mother, revealing that she's "not really from here" (169). What do you make of Térèse's response? How would you respond if you were in Térèse's shoes? Compare Térèse's reaction to Toni's on page 134 and Miguel's on page 233. What do you make of their responses to Adina's disclosure? How do you think you would react? Why?
11. Much of Beautyland takes place in Philadelphia and in New York City. Discuss each setting and the distinct roles that they play. What does Philadelphia mean to Adina? What does New York City represent? How does each city illuminate the themes of wealth and poverty, privilege and marginalization that occur throughout the novel?
12. Adina's writing attracts an impassioned—and increasingly contentious—following. What is it about her writing that elicits such a strong response? If you were in the audience at one of her readings, would you be a believer or a skeptic? Why?
13. "Humans want to find aliens so they feel less alone. They don't know there is nothing lonelier than an alien" (241). Discuss this passage. Where do you see instances of characters experiencing loneliness in Beautyland? Is Adina alone by the end of the novel? Why or why not?
14. The Supernova (New York City) section concludes with a pair of profound losses. How do they affect Adina? How did they affect you?
15. At the end of Beautyland, Adina's superiors instruct her to summarize Earth in a "final, one-word transmission" (319). What word do you think Adina sends? If you received the same prompt, what single-word response would you fax back?

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