READERS GUIDE

The Lost Girl of Craven County Reading Group Guide (RGG)
1.     From the moment Millie finds the mysterious woman on the ground, she feels and acts protective. Where do you think this comes from? What is it about this woman that resonates with me Millie?
2.     In New Bern, a woman’s success is marked by the security of a good education and a good match. In what ways does the small-town setting reinforce these pressures? Do you think Millie would have more freedom elsewhere, even in the 1930s?
3.     Throughout the novel, we see Millie navigating the grief of losing her brother, Auggie. How does this loss shape the way Millie approaches others? Do you think Millie would have responded differently to the mysterious woman had she not experienced such profound loss at a young age?
4.     In conversation, Millie reflects “Why do women love to be rescued?” Do you think that’s true, then or now?
5.     What role does the Great Depression play in The Lost Girl of Craven County? How did you feel it informed the story; what would change if the book were set during a different time period?
6.     Millie is described around town as a “madwoman” or an “old maid.” Discuss how, if at all, Millie allows these identities to impact her, both positively and negatively.
7.     Millie’s family calls the mysterious woman “the stranger” or “the girl,” as if she is a human blank canvas on which they can project their beliefs and desires. To what extent does this illustration depict the importance of having a voice? Conversely, in what ways can silence be an asset?
8.     The Lost Girl of Craven County is filled with surprises—both good and bad. Which character or scene shocked you the most? Which did you see coming?
9.     Cecilia encounters some horrific situations. Yet, she finds a way to move forward. What do you think enables her to move through life in this way?
10.  Through the bond that Millie and Cecilia develop, author Emily Matchar explores the transportive power of female friendship. In what ways do Millie and Cecilia change each other’s lives?
11.  Discuss your interpretation of the title. Now having read the book, who, in your opinion, is the “lost girl”?