READERS GUIDE
Reader’s GuideHouse of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
Discussion Questions
1. Who was your favorite character in the novel? Who was your least favorite?
2. This book is set in an alternate world, but it has similarities to ours. What did the time period, geographical locations, and fashions in the novel remind you of in our world?
3. Why do you think the author gave the book the title House of Hunger? What roles do food, blood, and consumption play in this story?
4. If you were in Marion’s shoes—living in the slums, struggling to make ends meet—would you leave the poverty of Prane for the relatively unknown world of being a bloodmaid? What do you think Marion’s fate would have been if she’d stayed in Prane?
5. How does Marion’s relationship with the other bloodmaids evolve over the course of the novel?
6. Did the twists in the novel—like Cecelia’s true whereabouts—take you by surprise, or did you see them coming?
7. At one point, Lisavet offers to let Marion leave the House of Hunger. Why do you think she does that? Do you think Lisavet truly loved Marion?
8. Do you think Marion truly loved Lisavet? Do her feelings for Lisavet prevent her from understanding Lisavet’s true nature, or does Lisavet do a good job of hiding who she really is?
9. In the book Lisavet says, “If you eat the weak, you’ll never go hungry.” What do you make of that statement? Do you think she’s right? Or is it possible to ethically enrich and empower yourself without the exploitation of someone more vulnerable than you?
10. What future do you imagine for Marion? Will her experiences at the House of Hunger help her survive?
