The Lager Queen of Minnesota

Discuss the novel’s structure. How do the third-person narrator and contrasting perspectives and timelines influence character development? Does the novel have a clear antagonist?

The setting of The Lager Queen of Minnesota establishes Midwesterners as people who take pride in a strong work ethic, humbly serving others while expecting little recognition. Although admirable, how are these characteristics limiting?

Diana feels frustrated watching Edith endlessly bail out Diana’s Uncle Eugene. Simultaneously, Diana resents her great-aunt Helen for withholding Edith’s portion of the Calder family inheritance, and she resents her peers’ various handouts and privileges. What message is J. Ryan Stradal attempting to deliver about generational wealth and family financial support?