The Housemaid's Daughter

I have two questions. 1) What does Dawn die of? I'm guessing AIDS or some other progressive STD. I know we can't really know for sure, but I'd like to hear other people's theories. 2) I read in someone's review that Phil committed suicide. I listened to the audio book and I didn't go back and listen to it again. Is it true? Or indeterminable?

Barbara Mutch

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What is the age group of this book? Would it be appropriate for 13-14-year-olds to read?

Jerilyn Of course a parent knows their own 13-14-yr-old best, and the subject matter may be difficult for some in this age group, while it may help facilitate…moreOf course a parent knows their own 13-14-yr-old best, and the subject matter may be difficult for some in this age group, while it may help facilitate discussion and healing for others. Issues include the emotional and sometimes violent experience of South African Apartheid, for white, black and mixed race people; sexual relations outside marriage; sexual abuse; unplanned pregnancy; absentee and unknown fathers. These are mature themes, no doubt, but there is no gratuitous violence or sex. The novel is beautifully written and deeply thoughtful.(less)

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Are there any discussion questions available for the Book Club that I facilitate? If so, can someone please provide the link or website?

Sara I know this is a few years late, however hopefully this helps someone else.

1) How did the situation like outside of Cradock develop?
2) Ada is sheltere…moreI know this is a few years late, however hopefully this helps someone else.

1) How did the situation like outside of Cradock develop?
2) Ada is sheltered and naïve, not knowing much about her own culture. Wouldn't her mother have prepared her to understand her own culture and obtain some survival skills?
3) Much of the terror and injustice of apartheid is only hinted at which is probably not surprising as a white author could never understand what it was like. Which begs the question of why a white author would decide to write from the point of view of a black woman? How could Barbara Mutch ever get that right or do the black story justice?
4) Why does it feature a white girl on the cover, when the narrator and focus of the book, Ada, is black? Did they think it would sell better with this cover?
5) Is it just Cathleen’s distance from her own family that motivates her to seek friendship with her maidservant and her daughter?
6) Was Dawn very different from Rosemary? Both abandoned their families and did not appreciate their mothers.
7) How are we supposed to believe that Dawn respected, even loved, her mother when she had a baby and lied about it for three years? She had all the money she wanted! Why didn't she use it to come home more often? To make phone calls? To send more telegrams?
8) Did Dawn learn nothing from her mother’s life?
9) How should a servant be treated?
(less)

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE HOUSMAID'S DAUGHTER

Sara I know this is a few years late, however hopefully this helps someone else.

1) How did the situation like outside of Cradock develop?
2) Ada is sheltere…moreI know this is a few years late, however hopefully this helps someone else.

1) How did the situation like outside of Cradock develop?
2) Ada is sheltered and naïve, not knowing much about her own culture. Wouldn't her mother have prepared her to understand her own culture and obtain some survival skills?
3) Much of the terror and injustice of apartheid is only hinted at which is probably not surprising as a white author could never understand what it was like. Which begs the question of why a white author would decide to write from the point of view of a black woman? How could Barbara Mutch ever get that right or do the black story justice?
4) Why does it feature a white girl on the cover, when the narrator and focus of the book, Ada, is black? Did they think it would sell better with this cover?
5) Is it just Cathleen’s distance from her own family that motivates her to seek friendship with her maidservant and her daughter?
6) Was Dawn very different from Rosemary? Both abandoned their families and did not appreciate their mothers.
7) How are we supposed to believe that Dawn respected, even loved, her mother when she had a baby and lied about it for three years? She had all the money she wanted! Why didn't she use it to come home more often? To make phone calls? To send more telegrams?
8) Did Dawn learn nothing from her mother’s life?
9) How should a servant be treated?(less)

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