Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of substance use and racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Myers portrays tobacco as both an economic lifeline and a health danger. Did you find this overly nuanced or correctly balanced?

2. How does The Tobacco Wives compare to other historical fiction about women challenging societal norms, such as Kathryn Stockett’s The Help or Alice Walker’s The Color Purple?

3. What aspects of Maddie’s character and narrative voice did you find most compelling throughout the novel?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. When have you been suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar social environment like Maddie was in Bright Leaf?

2. Which female character’s approach to navigating the gender expectations of the 1940s resonated with you most? Why?

3. The novel shows Maddie discovering that knowledge brings both power and responsibility. Describe a time when you learned something that changed your perception of a trusted person or institution.

4. What books or other media have influenced your understanding of gender roles or social justice, similar to how Cornelia’s books affected Maddie?