10 The Second Mrs Astor Book Club Questions

ByBooks That Slay Editors Last Updated:

In the dazzling, cutthroat world of New York high society, where appearances are everything and secrets are currency, a love story unlike any other unfolds. Seventeen-year-old Madeleine Talmage Force finds herself captivated by the enigmatic John Jacob Astor, a man of immense wealth and undeniable allure.

Their whirlwind romance, marked by a stark age difference and societal scrutiny, ignites like a wildfire against the backdrop of the roaring twenties.

From the sun-kissed sands of Egypt to the icy waters of the North Atlantic, their journey is a rollercoaster of passion, tragedy, and resilience. When fate intervenes with the unthinkable, Madeleine is left to navigate the treacherous waters of grief and societal expectations.

Will she succumb to the pressures of her gilded cage, or will she forge a path of her own?

Join us as we explore the complexities of love, loss, and identity in this captivating novel. We’ll delve into the lives of these extraordinary characters, examine the societal constraints of the era, and discuss the enduring power of the human spirit.

The Second Mrs Astor Book Club Questions for Discussion

The Second Mrs Astor Book Club Questions

  • The novel introduces a distinctive narrative structure that deviates from conventional story-telling techniques. It commences each chapter with a personal note from Madeline Astor to her son, providing a profound emotional layer and personal insights into Madeline’s experiences and thoughts.
    How did this narrative enhance your understanding of Madeline Astor as a character, and how did it affect your overall reading experience, particularly in understanding her resilience, her complex relationships, and her ability to navigate through the societal and personal challenges she encountered?

  • The Second Mrs. Astor vividly brings to life the world of New York’s elite in the early 20th century and Madeline’s struggle to find her place in it. She was shunned by society for marrying the older, recently divorced John Jacob Astor, and even by her step-son, Vincent, who was of the same age as her.
    What’s your take on the way Madeline was able to cope up with this societal pressure? 

  • The book interestingly portrays the historical event of the sinking of the Titanic, dedicating a significant portion of the narrative to describe the experiences of Madeline and her acquaintances during that fateful voyage. The portrayal of her interactions with other historical figures like Margaret Brown and Bruce Ismay and the events after the ship sank are deeply humanized and engaging. After reading the novel, how does Abe’s portrayal of these events compare to your previous understanding or impressions of the Titanic disaster?

  • Madeleine’s life after the Titanic disaster is somewhat glossed over in the narrative. At a very young age, she was a widow, one of the world’s wealthiest women, and she had to face the challenges posed by her step-children who she barely knew.
    Considering the unique circumstances she found herself in – young, rich, widowed, and with stepchildren with complex feelings towards her – what potential storylines could have been explored in Madeleine’s life post-Titanic? 

  • The theme of hope, its inspiring yet potentially destructive nature, is evident in the quote from the book, “The nature of hope is curious to me. It can sustain us through the darkest of times… Yet hope can shatter us just as readily as the darkness can. People refer to it as false hope, but I think that’s misleading, because the feeling itself is painfully true…”. This exploration of hope’s double-edged sword hints at the trials and tribulations the characters face, where hope might be their only solace but can also lead to disappointment or even devastation.
    What’s your take on the way this book portrays hope as both a sustaining force as well as a potential source of downfall?

  • The book gives an intriguing view of the societal norms and pressures of the early 20th-century high society. The Astors faced social snubs due to their non-conformist marriage, and the book includes detailed descriptions of the conventions that governed women’s lives at that time.
    How do these descriptions of societal expectations and norms inform our understanding of high society mannerisms back in those days? Also, considering that it has been over 100 years since The Titanic sank, do you see a change in these high-class elite groups of the 1900s and the 2000s? Are they any different, or they have simply imbibed the same traits?

  • Abé leverages extensive research about the Titanic and the Astor family to construct the narrative of The Second Mrs. Astor. However, despite the rich historical context, the book is ultimately a work of fiction.
    How do you think the author’s extensive research on the Titanic and the Astor family adds to the realism of the story? Also, does the addition of fictional elements enhance or detract you from the original historical setting of the Titanic event? 

  • Continuing the above question, the character of Madeleine Astor is developed in the narrative through careful research and imaginative fill-in-the-blanks due to the lack of substantial historical data on her. This raises questions about the blend of historical fact and creative liberty in historical fiction. How does Abé’s portrayal of Madeleine Astor balance the line between historical authenticity and fictional interpretation, and how does this affect your perception of Madeleine as a character?

  • A pivotal part of the narrative revolves around Madeleine’s life post-Titanic, dealing with her tragic loss, newfound fame, and the birth of her son. She’s depicted as a tragic heroine by the press, but the storyline in the novel allows her the opportunity to accept or reject this public image.
    Based on the narrative, what factors do you believe led to Madeleine’s decision to either conform to or break free from the public image created for her, and how does this decision shape her identity throughout the novel?

  • In several parts of the novel, Abé explores the theme of love as an immersive, transformative force that unifies two individuals. She describes it as an entity that requires hard work and makes people face inevitable sacrifices and pain. Love is also depicted as something that engulfs two people to the extent that they become entwined with each other, with the child being an embodiment of this union.
    Based on the above context, what’s your take on the way this book explores these contradictory aspects of love and marriage?

If you liked this set of questions, here are some other options for you to explore.