For Book Clubs

Reading Group Guide

This reading group guide for Tulip-A Love Story includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

INTRODUCTION

After the untimely death of her beloved Mama and with only the clothes on her back, shoes much too worn, and a limited supply of food, Tulip sets off on foot, leaving behind the shack she had come to call home. With no Papa, Grands, siblings or relatives to speak of, this poor, frightened and hungry twelve year old stumbles upon Betts Farm, which ultimately brings her more harm than help. After what feels like a lifetime, Tulip escapes her captors and eventually falls into the arms of the young and handsome, Malcolm Thornton. Overwhelmed by their insatiable and passionate love, Tulip believes her nightmare is over and she has found safety the family they begin to create. Will Tulip's happiness last or will a lifetime of lies, secrets, and shame unravel everything she holds dear?

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TOPICS & QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. “Tulip” rolls through the turbulent waters of innocence, racism, poverty and opportunity. What role, if any, do you think the time period, meaning Jim Crow and all, played in the story? Do you think would have played out differently if it took place during in the 70’s? If so, how?

2. As Tulip makes her way from Connecticut to Maryland, we’re introduced to Preacher Copeland, he says to Tulip, “Come on now, make up your mind. It’s Sunday and I got a sermon to preach. If you’re not coming, I’ll leave you be and I will be on my way.” ”Why do you think Tulip was so trusting of Preacher Copeland? Why did him being a Preacher put Tulip at ease? Was it because he was black or a preacher? Or both?

3. In Chapter 6, “A Desolate Field of Flowers” we see the violation that Tulip endured. How do you think having the out-of body experience help her to deal with the reality of what was happening to her? How, if at all, do you think she understood what was happening and why?

4. On page 95 it reads, “Mister Man was my Papa, she said, looking down at the ground. It was getting dark. To her relief, it was hard to see Malcolm’s face. Soon, they would need to start a fire, she thought.”

   “We were on our way to start a new life, like you and your Paw,” Tulip continued. Closing her eyes made it easier to lie. Mama went home to be with God, which was not a lie, Tulip thought. “My Papa wanted us to start over again in a new place. He was sad after Mama died.” Tulip kept her fingers crossed behind her back. She didn’t want God to strike her down. Lying was hard and her stomach was hurting even more than before.

   “My Papa and I were traveling to sell some goods so we can have money for our travels. We lost our house in a fire. That’s how Mama died.” This was partly true, thought Tulip. “Papa saved me from the fire, but I get confused sometimes, because I hit my head. That’s why I call my Papa Mister Man, though I know he’s Papa.”

   How would you interpret this explanation? Why do you think Tulip lied? How does this relate to Malcolm’s circumstances in that moment?

5. Tulip and Malcolm have very different approaches their relationships. How would you characterize both of them as individuals? How do their differences positively and negatively affect their relationship? Is it truly love, or just circumstances? In which character do you see more of yourself?

6. Would you consider Tulip is better equipped to be a child or for love? Why?

7. On page 103, “As a young girl, Tulip’s Mama had been fondled, touched, and forced to perform sex acts. It seemed that, as a Negro girl, if you looked halfway decent, you would be abused, even by men in your own family. Mama said that I would look like her one day, so I had to be careful around menfolk, but I really didn’t understand why, until Mister Betts’s farm.Tulip recalls Virginia says to their intern, “What are some of the biggest obstacles females, no matter color, race or age face? How does this impact little girls? How does it impact Tulip?

8. Throughout the novel, we see many different forms of love and relationships, Malcolm and Tulip, Mister Betts and Misses Betts, Mister Noel Chiles and May Chiles (wife) . How do you believe each character would define their love? How does their definition define their relationships? How would you define love?

9. Tulip—A Love Story gives readers a look at the inner struggle of a young black girl alone in the world nagivating her way through life in the era of Jim Crow. On page 17, when describing her lost, Tulip says, “She stood tall and looked down upon the lifeless body before her. She gazed at her dead Mama until the candle’s flame died, allowing her to look no more. A small trickle of fluid flowed down from her Secret and past her knees until it finally rested on the floor beneath her feet. Mama was dead, and Tulip was reborn a woman. What surprised you most about Tulip reaction to her Mama’s death? In your opinion, what is the most important about her reaction?

10. At the end of the novel, Tulip is faced with a difficult decision between her love Malcolm and her children. Do you think Tulip made the right choice? Why or why not? What would you have done if placed in the same position?

ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB

1. Tulip-A Love Story is first book of the trilogy. If Tulip is optioned for a television series. Who would you cast in the lead roles? Why? Which scenes in Tulip did you find particularly cinematic? Discuss them with your book club.

2. Mary Chambers, was raised by her grandparents, but her grandmother was the key figure in her life. She spent a lot time absorbing the pieces of Grandmother’s life and learned first hard of the hardship she endured being a little homeless uneducated (only formally) colored girl. She watched her Grandmother has a women and marveled at how she with her limited education was the most smartest person she knew. Her grandmother worked hard to give her grandkids a better life, with the little she had, but a whole lot of common sense and the love for the Lord. So Mary wanted to be all she could for her Grandmother, but most importantly, she wanted to honor her life and make her proud. So she acquired advanced degrees, had a good government job, and even started her own business. But, as life goes, because she was far from perfect and there were bumps and plenty of bruises along the way. But, she always kept her Grandmother close to her heart. How do you think Mary’s Grandmother influenced her writing? How does impact the way you see your parents, if at all?

3. Learn more about Mary Chambers, read reviews of her work, and find her on tour.