Hello Beautiful

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How does the book’s portrayal of the complexity of family relationships resonate with you?
• Which character do you relate to most in the book, and why? What aspects of their journey stand out to you?
• Hello Beautiful features themes of self-discovery and healing from tragedy. Compare and contrast the novel with Dear Edward, another novel by Napolitano that addresses the same themes.

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Connect the book’s themes and characters to personal experiences.

• Which moment in the novel evoked a strongest emotional response from you as a reader, and why? In what ways does that moment resonate with your own life?
• Rose’s strong Catholic faith is a double-edged sword in the novel. Do you agree with her use of religion as a reason to kick Cecelia out of the house? Why or why not?
• Julia dominates her relationship with William, and for most of the novel, William is content to follow her lead. What is your view of relationships that have an unbalanced power dynamic? Can they work, or should partners have the same level of decision-making?
• One of the novel’s turning points is William’s attempt to die by suicide. Why did he believe this was his only option? Was there any way to prevent this from happening?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Analyze the book’s commentary on depression and mental illness. What models of healing does it provide?
• Why might Napolitano have chosen to write a novel based on Little Women in 2023? How do the themes in Little Women resonate in today’s society?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How does Hello Beautiful reinterpret Lousia May Alcott’s Little Women for a modern audience? Does Napolitano reflect Alcott’s writing style in any way?
• The novel is told from four different points of view. Discuss how this structure affects your experience of the narrative. How would the novel be different if it were told from a single perspective?
• Explore the historical and thematic significance of Chicago as the novel’s setting. What aspects of the city feature in the novel, and how do they affect the character’ lives?
• What is Charlie Padavano’s role in the novel? How do the Padavanos change after his death?
• What is the symbolic significance of William’s career as a history professor? Why can’t he find a sense of identity in that role as he did with basketball?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Sylvie gains insight into William’s struggles by reading his manuscript. Write a journal entry in which you address something you are struggling with emotionally. How does the activity feel?
• Cecelia uses art as a way to connect with her family and her spiritual beliefs. Paint or draw a picture of something you find spiritually uplifting.
• Imagine the continuation of Alice’s life after meeting William and the Padavanos. How might things change for her? How would this affect her relationship with Julia and her life in New York?

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