The Unmaking of June Farrow

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your impressions of June as a protagonist? Did you find her to be an unreliable narrator at times?
• How did you feel about the time travel element in the book?
• Did the ending surprise you, particularly with June’s choice to remain in the past timeline? What about the lack of closure in Mason’s character arc?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

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

• How did you respond to the novel’s exploration of cycles of family trauma? Have you ever felt compelled to learn about your family history or secrets?
• How has your experience in a small community or larger, more anonymous city shaped your life and values? How would your background affect you if you were in June’s situation?
• What about June’s experience as a woman who is misjudged and targeted by her community feels familiar to you?
• Was there a time when you felt like you were rediscovering yourself or seeing yourself in a new light? How can this rediscovery sometimes feel like an “unraveling”?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How does the culture of small, close-knit communities support and constrain individuals? 
• What is the impact of tradition and collective memory on June?
• How does June’s character exemplify the challenges and dangers women face in patriarchal societies? How does the novel portray the effects of cultural norms around womanhood and family legacy on women’s autonomy and identity? 
• How does the book address the concept of purported “madness” or hysteria in women and the ways this was used against women to isolate, punish, and force them into submission to patriarchal systems?

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