This month’s FYA Book Club selection is Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet. This contemporary murder mystery is a dark and subversive reimagining of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women in which Beth plays a much larger role. (For better and worse!)
Check out the discussion questions below! (Slight spoilers ahead.)
P.S. If you’ve already read the book, feel free to add any other discussion questions of your own in the comments!
Content Warning
Beth is Dead features examples of violence and sexual assault, including murder, the death of a child, and mentions of rape and grooming, as well as toxic relationships with both partners and parents.
Icebreaker
In Beth is Dead, a secondary character who previously had very little story impact becomes the center of the action. What fictional character(s) would you love to see get the same treatment?
Questions
1. How do you feel about the March sisters? Do you have a favorite? Or a least favorite? Did this person change as the book went on?
2. What about thier dad? Do you have any sympathy or understanding for him?
3. The romantic interests in the book aren’t as prevalent as they could be. Do you think these characters and their relationships added to the story? Why or Why not?
4. Fandom, viralism, and parasocial relationships are themes throughout the book. Do you feel like this inclusion helped or hindered the investigation and the novel’s plot as a whole?
5. Let’s talk secrets. All of the March sisters are keeping secrets from each other, and some are larger than others. Do you think they were right to keep things to themselves? Why or why not?
6. Did you enjoy the then/now chapter shifts? Did it make the story more compelling, or was it confusing?
7. Did you figure out who Beth’s killer was before it was revealed?
8. If you’re an original Little Women fan, what did you like about how this book changed the story? What did you dislike?
If you’re not a fan of Little Women, was there anything in this book that made you appreciate the story more?
If you’ve never read Little Women, did this book make you want to read it?
9. And, because I like to rabble-rouse: Which film adaptation of the original is the best?
