Hello Beautiful

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How does the book’s portrayal of the complexity of family relationships resonate with you?
• Which character do you relate to most in the book, and why? What aspects of their journey stand out to you?
• Hello Beautiful features themes of self-discovery and healing from tragedy. Compare and contrast the novel with Dear Edward, another novel by Napolitano that addresses the same themes.

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Connect the book’s themes and characters to personal experiences.

• Which moment in the novel evoked a strongest emotional response from you as a reader, and why? In what ways does that moment resonate with your own life?
• Rose’s strong Catholic faith is a double-edged sword in the novel. Do you agree with her use of religion as a reason to kick Cecelia out of the house? Why or why not?
• Julia dominates her relationship with William, and for most of the novel, William is content to follow her lead. What is your view of relationships that have an unbalanced power dynamic? Can they work, or should partners have the same level of decision-making?
• One of the novel’s turning points is William’s attempt to die by suicide.