The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd — the pseudonym for husband-and-wife writing team Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos — presents much to parse, given its multiple storylines, Egyptology, the dynamics of class and money, romance, art history, and more. Work your way through the ins, outs, and arounds with the help of a few questions to help guide your book club’s discussion. Want the full Page & Pairing guide to the book? Get it here.
The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby
by Ellery Lloyd
1. The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby intertwines art history with intrigue. Explore the themes of art, mystery, family dynamics, secrets, and self-discovery as depicted in the novel.
2. What role does Surrealism play in the story and in the life of Juliette Willoughby?
3. The protagonist, Caroline Cooper, is a scholar specializing in Surrealist art by women. Discuss how her character developed alongside and with a deep connection to Juliette’s.
4. How has the author used the dual timelines in the book to unravel the history and mysteries of the Willoughby family, as well as Juliette’s lost masterpiece, "Self-Portrait as Sphinx"?
5. How do the settings, from Cambridge to Paris, to Dubai, contribute to the narrative?
6. How do the main characters, Caroline and Patrick, navigate their academic pursuits and personal relationships amid the mysteries surrounding the Willoughby family?
7. What elements of romance and intrigue are evident in the narrative?
8. What role does the Osiris Society and its members play in the narrative?
9. How does the story deal with the aftermath of a traumatic event and its effect on the characters?
10. Discuss the book’s exploration of emotional themes such as fear of falling in love and the impact of family history on personal ambitions.
11. How do the authors, through their pseudonym Ellery Lloyd, intertwine historical and contemporary narratives in their story?