Book Club Discussion Questions for Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The Kingdom of the Happy Land and our BookBrowse Review of Happy Land.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. The author based this novel on the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land. Prior to reading this novel, what did you know about the Kingdom of the Happy Land? Were you aware that such a kingdom existed?
2. What is the significance of using terms such as kingdom and royalty to describe the land and its people?
3. How would you describe the connection between the kingdomfolk and their land?
4. The attorney informs Nikki that the law is not on their side and it is unlikely that Mother Rita will get the land back. However, Mother Rita doesn't believe that. Why do you think she is so certain?
5. When William returns to Luella and moves into the palace, Luella juggles two husbands and feels powerless. Do you agree with her decision to let William stay? Was there something else she could have done instead?
6. When Mr. Weaver refuses to honor his promise to sell the land back to the Kingdom at the agreed-upon price, Luella decides to purchase only a portion of the land back. How do you feel about her decision? Do you agree with it?
7. Throughout the novel, Nikki wonders about the source of the deep rift between her mother and Mother Rita. Do you think they are able to completely heal their relationship by the end of the book?
8. Nikki feels dissatisfied with nearly every aspect of her life in D.C. and is uncertain about what to do next. How did you feel when Mother Rita gave her the gift of a new life at the end of the book?
9. Do you notice any similarities in the personalities of the Lovejoy and Montgomery women? In particular, what are the similarities and parallels between Nikki and Luella?
10. This novel emphasizes the importance of community, family, and legacy and maintaining our connections with each of them. How is this reflected in the story of the Lovejoy women? Is this applicable to your own life? How?
11. The concepts of land ownership and land loss are central to this story. How do you think the impact of land loss still reverberates through today's society? What might be done to address it?

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