Mother of Red Mountains 

What did you like best about the book, and what did you like least? Why? 

Which aspects of the book do you feel like you can personally relate to? 

Do you feel a connection with a particular character? If so, who, and why?

What have you learned from the book about China’s history and politics? How is what you’ve learned consistent with, or different from, what you understood about China before you read the book? 

The book covers many events that took place between the 1930s and 1966 that were important in shaping Jun’s life. Some of these occurred at national and regional levels, and some took place locally or within the family. Which moments do you think most influenced the development of Jun’s character and temperament? Which moment or event do you think was the most important turning point in Jun’s life? Why?

What roles did Jun’s father play in her childhood? How do you think he might have shaped Jun’s ambitions and values?

Which other characters played an important role in Jun’s life at different stages? 

How do you feel about Jun and Yanshao’s relationship? Could Jun or Yanshao have changed the outcome of their relationship by making different decisions? If you were in Jun’s situation, would you make similar decisions? Why or why not? 

Compare the various women in the book such as Mrs. Liu, Lao-Si, Sanyi, Jun, Xia, Peifang, and Jun’s friends. What do these women have in common? 

The Zhou family were deemed “capitalists.” Do you think they were good, evil, or normal people? What are your thoughts about the demonization of capitalism at this time and place? 

How do you feel about the relationship between Jun and Binkai? Was Binkai an ideal husband? What do you think their future holds? Will their relationship stay strong?

At what moment did Jun’s motherly instincts wake up and make her act differently?

What do you think the two baby girls’ future lives will be like?

Do the stories in the book remind you of your childhood, or the childhoods of people you know? Do these stories have universal meanings?

The story explores several overarching themes, and Jun and the other main characters learn some important lessons. How did the author bring these themes and lessons to life? 

The book’s title has mountains in it. Do you think the mountains are effective metaphors for the different eras and challenges which Jun and many other Chinese were facing at the time? Would you have given the book a different title?

What makes this book engaging? Are there places you felt lost or needed more information? Was this because of the writing, or because of your unfamiliarity with what was happening in China during that period?

The structure of this historical novel is largely chronological. Is this effective at showing the ever-changing environments, Jun’s observations and reflections, and the overall story of what happened during the time?

This historical novel is based on actual events. The main characters are fictionalized but they, too, are based on real people. Do you think the stories and characters, as well as their thoughts, actions, and emotions, are realistic? If so, what has the author done to achieve that realism? If not, how could the author have helped bring them more to life?

Are the socio-political events effectively blended into the narration to provide contexts and settings? How well does the author portray the impacts of these events?

What do you think were the author’s goals when they wrote this book?

If you could chat with the author, what would you ask?