Beautyland

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Did you struggle to buy into the conceit of Bertino’s narrative that Adina is an alien probe? Did you read this literally, metaphorically, or a mix of both? 
• What elements of the story felt most grounded in reality to you? How does it compare to other speculative fiction that you’ve encountered in this respect?
• How did the formal structure of the novel, particularly the lack of chapter breaks, affect your reading experience? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

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

• How did Adina’s transmissions affect your understanding of her? Did you find them revealing, endearing, or humorous?
• What did you believe about extraterrestrials before reading the novel? Did your reading of the book uphold or change your beliefs?
• How do you resonate with Adina’s search for her place in the universe and her community? What parts of her experience felt personal to you, particularly in her struggle to fit in as an adolescent?
• Do you believe a person is meant to know their purpose, or are they meant to figure it out along the way as they experience more of life? 
• Adina’s mother and (eventually)