Queenmaker (40 page)
Authors: India Edghill
The author wishes to thank those who read
Queenmaker
in its various incarnations and provided invaluable comments and criticism: James Allen, eluki bes shahar, Anne Bushyhead, Jane Butler, Sue Krinard, James Macdonald, Myra Morales, Susan Poirier, Niloufer Reifler, Dora Schisler, Bonnie Wenk Stallone, Muriel Verdibello, Gloria Edghill Wenk, and a very special thanks to Judy York, artist extraordinaire.
Queenmaker
in its various incarnations and provided invaluable comments and criticism: James Allen, eluki bes shahar, Anne Bushyhead, Jane Butler, Sue Krinard, James Macdonald, Myra Morales, Susan Poirier, Niloufer Reifler, Dora Schisler, Bonnie Wenk Stallone, Muriel Verdibello, Gloria Edghill Wenk, and a very special thanks to Judy York, artist extraordinaire.
The book you now hold in your hands has been many things: a labor of love, to show my father his faith in my writing ability was not misplaced; an attempt to give a voice to a biblical woman long condemned to silence; a proof to my mother that she didn’t waste her money when she bought me that new computer; a self-published novel; a St. Martin’s hardcover. And now it’s a trade paperback! Sometimes
Queenmaker
seems to have as many lives as a cat —a very fortunate cat with a great many friends helping her along her way. This latest incarnation provides me an opportunity to thank
Queenmaker’s
new friends—the ones whose efforts made the book’s current life such a thrill to share.
Queenmaker
seems to have as many lives as a cat —a very fortunate cat with a great many friends helping her along her way. This latest incarnation provides me an opportunity to thank
Queenmaker’s
new friends—the ones whose efforts made the book’s current life such a thrill to share.
So here I’d like to thank Anna Ghosh, my very special agent, and Russ Galen, who both are not only great agents but great people, always willing to share knowledge and to advise and help. And Danny Baror, my wonderful foreign rights agent, who added a great many foreign languages to
Queenmaker’s
repertoire.
Queenmaker’s
repertoire.
At St. Martin’s, there’s Matthew Baldacci and his great marketing team, who made sure everyone knew about
Queenmaker.
And there’s Nichole Argyres, the world’s greatest editorial assistant, who fixes problems I didn’t even know I had.
Queenmaker.
And there’s Nichole Argyres, the world’s greatest editorial assistant, who fixes problems I didn’t even know I had.
And then—of course—there’s the queen of
Queenmaker’s
friends, my amazing and supportive editor, Diane Higgins. No writer could ask for a better editor; to have her guiding my book into its future is an author’s dream come true.
Queenmaker’s
friends, my amazing and supportive editor, Diane Higgins. No writer could ask for a better editor; to have her guiding my book into its future is an author’s dream come true.
So thank you Anna, Danny, Diane, Matthew, Nichole, and Russ, for bringing
Queenmaker
so far and doing so much for the book and for me. I can’t wait to see where
Queenmaker
goes next!
Queenmaker
so far and doing so much for the book and for me. I can’t wait to see where
Queenmaker
goes next!
—India
Picador
Discussion
1.
Michal tells her story in the first person. What does the story gain by being told only through Michal’s eyes? How would
Queenmaker
be different if it were told from another person’s point of view or in the third person?
Michal tells her story in the first person. What does the story gain by being told only through Michal’s eyes? How would
Queenmaker
be different if it were told from another person’s point of view or in the third person?
2.
What are Michal’s goals, and how does she achieve them? How and why do they change during the course of her life?
What are Michal’s goals, and how does she achieve them? How and why do they change during the course of her life?
3.
Although there are many men in Michal’s life, eventually she learns that her relationships with other women are most important to her. How does Michal come to realize this? How do her bonds with other women help her? How do they hinder her?
Although there are many men in Michal’s life, eventually she learns that her relationships with other women are most important to her. How does Michal come to realize this? How do her bonds with other women help her? How do they hinder her?
4.
The Philistine concubine Zhurleen embodies the traditional feminine path to power. What does Michal learn from her? How would the course of Michal’s life have changed if she had followed Zhurleen’s advice?
The Philistine concubine Zhurleen embodies the traditional feminine path to power. What does Michal learn from her? How would the course of Michal’s life have changed if she had followed Zhurleen’s advice?
5.
Bathsheba is used as a weapon by both David and Michal. Who do you think wins the struggle over Bathsheba? How does this affect Bathsheba’s life?
Bathsheba is used as a weapon by both David and Michal. Who do you think wins the struggle over Bathsheba? How does this affect Bathsheba’s life?
6.
Although she has no son of her own, Michal uses her power to train the next king. What does her raising of Solomon show about her knowledge of and use of power?
Although she has no son of her own, Michal uses her power to train the next king. What does her raising of Solomon show about her knowledge of and use of power?
7.
How does Michal’s relationship with Abishag show the changes in Michal since she was a girl? How does it show the changes from King Saul’s day in the way kings and courts are regarded?
How does Michal’s relationship with Abishag show the changes in Michal since she was a girl? How does it show the changes from King Saul’s day in the way kings and courts are regarded?
8.
Although Michal never likes David’s general, Joab, she comes to an uneasy truce with him. How are Michal and Joab’s goals similar? How are they different?
Although Michal never likes David’s general, Joab, she comes to an uneasy truce with him. How are Michal and Joab’s goals similar? How are they different?
9.
Michal learns about kingship and power from many people, including King Saul, Phaltiel, Nathan, and Zhurleen, as well as from David himself. How does what she learns differ in each case? How is it the same? What decisions does she make that lead to her becoming a true queen?
Michal learns about kingship and power from many people, including King Saul, Phaltiel, Nathan, and Zhurleen, as well as from David himself. How does what she learns differ in each case? How is it the same? What decisions does she make that lead to her becoming a true queen?
10.
Spinning and weaving are used as motifs throughout the book. How do these traditionally female tasks mirror women’s lives?
Spinning and weaving are used as motifs throughout the book. How do these traditionally female tasks mirror women’s lives?
11.
In the end, Michal thinks she has chosen love over wisdom and power. Is she right?
In the end, Michal thinks she has chosen love over wisdom and power. Is she right?
What to Read Next
For additional reading group guide visit
www.picadorusa.com
www.picadorusa.com
QUEENMAKER. Copyright © 1999, 2003 by India Edghill. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address Picador, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y 10010.
Picador® is a U.S. registered trademark and is used by St. Martin’s Press under license from Pan Books Limited.
eISBN 9781466821361
First eBook Edition : June 2012
For information on Picador Reading Group Guides, as well as ordering, please contact the Trade Marketing department at St. Martin’s Press.
Phone: 1-800-221-7945 extension 763
Fax: 212-677-7456
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 212-677-7456
E-mail: [email protected]
First published in the United States by Talitho Press, Xlibris
First Picador Edition: January 2003
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