Discussion questions:

  1. ‘I met … November 1954’ What do you think of this as the opening for the novel? What does it tell us we might expect from the rest of the book and Penelope herself? It it true to the narrative style throughout the rest of the book?
  2. How different do you think LAKS would be if it were set in the Noughties rather than the Fifties?
  3. What do you think of the role of fate and chance in LAKS - were Penelope and Charlotte destined to meet? How about Penelope and Rocky?
  4. What do you think about the contrast between Britain and America in the novel. How pronounced is this? Is Rocky really that exotic? Is Elvis really that different from Johnny Ray?
  5. How important is music in LAKS? What does it tell us about the characters and indeed the narrative itself? How does the author use it to illustrate her story?
  6. LAKS describes a world that was vanishing as well as a new world that was emerging at the same time. What are these two colliding cultures and how are they represented by the characters and their stories? How important is class throughout the novel? Does it matter to the characters? Does it matter to you to understand the story?
  7. What did LAKS remind of you most specifically, any books? Any films? Did you find it relevant to today?

Other suggested reading:

I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith
Love in a Cold Climate and The Pursuit of Love – Nancy Mitford
Mariana – Monica Dickens
Mrs Miniver – Jan Struther
The Making of a Marchioness – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Dusty Answer – Rosamund Lehmann

More information:

When and how should you reveal a secret? – listen to this discussion with Eva on Woman’s Hour
http://www.bbc.co.uk

And find out more about its Richard & Judy selection:

http://www.richardandjudybookclub.co.uk

Quotes:

So good we can hardly speak’ Observer

‘A delight of Nancy Mitford-esque trials and tribulations’ Vogue

‘Enchantingly written and the perfect read for fans of all things vintage’ Prima

‘If you like your green tea loose and your thank-you notes from Smythson, you’ll love this modern vintage classic. *****’ Heat

‘Funny, classy and romantic’ Sainsbury’s Magazine

'This book was really funny with likeable characters. Halfway through I thought I knew how it would end, but there were several surprises in store' Company

‘A comforting read, with echoes of Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle and Nancy Mitford’s Love in a Cold Climate’ Red

'A quite delightful tongue-in-cheek period piece' Woman & Home