Daughters of the Sun and Moon

1. Of the three women, Petal, Dove, and Moon, whose background most shaped her actions, and why?

2. How do Petal, Dove, and Moon's different hopes for the future affect how they see their lives and help them survive?

3. How do Dove, Petal, and Moon's sense of self-worth evolve as they realize that their traditional Chinese "value" is viewed differently in the violent landscape of America?

4. How did each woman end up in California-and what does that say about the lack of control they had over their lives? Did their circumstances feel unfair to you, and how did that shape your view of their choices?

5. Why do you think Dove's husband abandoned her and took a second wife? Do you see his actions as personal betrayal, cultural norm, or both?

6. Do you see any parallels between the three women's lack of power and the issues women still face today?

7. The women in the novel face oppression on two fronts: the brutal anti-Chinese sentiment of 1870s Los Angeles, and the rigid patriarchal expectations imposed on them within their own community. Did the women find more danger in the world outside Chinatown or in its customs?

8. How do Dove, Petal, and Moon support each other in such a harsh world-and do you think their bond is what helped them survive?

9. Discuss the transition of the townspeople from neighbors to a "frenzied mob". Did the lead-up to the lynching feel gradual or sudden to you, and how did that affect your reading experience?

10. Why do you think the mob turned on people who had nothing to do with the violence? Did they feel like individuals making choices, or more like a crowd swept up in the moment?

11. What did you think about the women who stole money during the Night of Horror, opportunistic or understandable? What does this moment reveal about how people act when order breaks down?

12. How did the failure of the courts affect the victims? Did this change your understanding of what the survivors endured?

13. What does the failure of the legal system reveal about who it protects-and who it doesn't? Do you see any parallels to today's legal system?

14. What does "eating bitterness" mean in the story, and how do the women live it out? Do you see "eating bitterness" as strength, survival, or something else?

15. Why do you think the massacre was historically suppressed-and who benefits when history is hidden?

16. Do you see any parallels between the suppression of this event and how difficult truths are handled today?

17. Which character did you connect with most-and why?

18. What stayed with you most after finishing the book?

Book Club Talking Points:
Book clubs will love this story because it sparks powerful conversations about history, justice, and the strength of women facing impossible odds. The three different characters allow every reader to connect and discuss. The shocking history of the 1871 massacre will give your group plenty to talk about. What makes it especially engaging is how relevant it is today. The fear, blame, and dehumanization of immigrants that Lisa See shows in 1870s Los Angeles feels all too familiar in our current political climate. The ongoing silencing of women's voices throughout the story will resonate deeply with today's readers. It is the kind of book that reminds us that history has a way of repeating itself, and that is exactly why it needs to be read.