Discussion Points and Questions for Book Clubs and Reading Groups
Discussion Points and Questions for Book Clubs and Reading Groups
26 Nov
The search for home is one of the themes in this story and in Celestina’s life journey. What makes a home? What is Celestina’s idea of home?
Hauntings are a recurring motif in the story, both on the personal level of the characters and on the societal level. What is a haunting? What haunts Celestina and other characters? What haunts the Sytanco-Errantes family? What haunts the Philippines?
The story is largely propelled by transgressions that echo through years and generations. How do these generational sins affect succeeding generations and future relationships? (You can frame your answer in terms of the malas, swerte, mana concepts introduced in the story.)
Family dynamics play a big role in this novel. Compare Celestina’s relationship with her birth family and found family. How did Celestina’s relationship with them influence her life journey?
Josemaria, Celestina’s love interest says, “Every family is dysfunctional in its way.” He also says, “Family is a blessing. It doesn’t always seem that way, but even an imperfect one is better than none.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
What role does shame play in the story?
In one scene, Celestina says to Josemaria, “I’m not used to happiness. It feels like a luxury.” Contemporary life puts an emphasis on the pursuit of happiness, while many traditional religions posit suffering as part and parcel of life. What do you think?
What role does food play in the story? Talk about your favourite food scene and what it says about Philippine culture.
At a tender age, Celestina makes a difficult, life-altering choice, in defiance of her Catholic faith and against the advice of the two mother figures in her life. Do you think she made the right decision? What would you do if you were her?
Catholicism permeates Philippine culture and Celestina’s world. Discuss the ways the Catholic faith helps or hinders the characters.
Celestina’s life journey is punctuated by three romantic relationships.
If you were her best friend, who would you advise her to build a life with and why?
In a confrontation scene, Josemaria tells the antagonist Antonio that “A real man knows how to control his monsters.” Do you agree? Popular parlance talks about men going on “beast mode.” Does masculinity require a certain dangerousness?
Which character do you sympathize with the most and why?