When Women Were Dragons

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• When you first read the title of the book, did you think it was symbolic, or did you believe the women would actually turn into dragons? Were you surprised that the latter was the case in the novel?
• Did you expect Alex to turn into a dragon or stay human? What about the novel led you to this conclusion? 
• When Women Were Dragons is written as a history, but it contains many elements of fantasy and other genres. What genre do you think the novel belongs to? How does it compare to other works in this genre that you’ve encountered?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Did you find Bertha or Marla more relatable? Did you like either character more at the end of the novel than at the start?
• Have you ever felt confined by your expected role? Did you relate to the women who turned into dragons? 
• Do you feel your society expects something specific of you? How do those expectations vary based on gender, race, class, etc.? 
• What part of the novel made you feel most empathetic toward the dragons? Why?

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