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A novel as rich as Sweet Vidalia makes for an excellent book club conversation. Here’s what you need to get started.

Sweet Vidalia by Lisa Sandlin shares the story of Eliza Kratke, a woman whose life has just shifted in seismic ways. Newly widowed, and newly knowledgeable about a couple massive secrets kept by her husband, Eliza is forced to find a way to fix all that he had broken prior to his death. Never underestimate a middle-aged woman tasked with survival! Packed with big questions about character and trust, new beginnings and old habits, possibility and mortality, you’ll love diving into deep discussions about Sweet Vidalia. But be careful: Spoilers below! Also, be sure to check out the full Page & Pairing guide to Sweet Vidalia.

Sweet Vidalia

by Lisa Sandlin

1. What do you learn about Eliza Kratke’s character in the first dramatic scene?

2. What role does Eliza’s car, the Fairlane, play in the novel?

3. How do Eliza’s problems spiral after her husband’s death? What is the effect on Eliza? If you’ve encountered a spiraling problem(s), how did you react?

4. What would you say happens to Eliza during the interactions with the repo boss, Ray Paley?

5. What roles does Louise, Eliza’s fellow student, play in Sweet Vidalia? Do the two rub off on each other in any ways?

6. How does Morton act as a stabilizer to Eliza? What are other stabilizers for her?

7. What is the culture of the Sweet Vidalia Residence Inn like? How is it different than Eliza’s previous life?

8. How does the interlude on the Greyhound bus reflect on Eliza’s story?

9. How do the interactions with Terry, another business student, affect Eliza and vice versa?

10. Is Eliza suitable (or not) for the job she finds finally? Why?

11. At book’s end, what has Eliza created for herself? Contrast the actions and moods of the beginning and ending chapters.

12. “It’s never too late to come of age,” said one reviewer about this book. Do you agree? In what ways does 57 year old Eliza “come of age”? In what ways has she stayed the same? Have you come of age more than once?

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