Orphans of the Carnival Reader’s Guide
By Carol Birch
READERS GUIDE
Introduction
In this stunning work of historical fiction, the Booker Prize-nominated author of Jamrach’s Menagerie reimagines the incredible true story of Julia Pastrana, a woman branded a freak at birth. Although she was pronounced by the most eminent physician of the day to be “a true hybrid wherein the nature of woman presides over that of the brute,” Julia was fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and an accomplished musician with an exquisite singing voice. Alternately vilified and celebrated, all she wanted was for people to see beyond her hairy visage—and perhaps, the chance for love. When Julia meets a charming showman who catapults her onto the global stage, she believes that she has found true happiness at last. But the question of whether her lover truly cares for her—or if his management is just a new form of exploitation—lingers heavily. A deeply moving novel, in Orphans of the Carnival Carol Birch has crafted a haunting examination of how we define ourselves and, ultimately, of what it means to be human.Questions and Topics for Discussion
1. Do you think it’s a mistake that Julia prefers not to discuss or handle money? Why or why not?
2. What do you think was the good and bad that the fortune teller predicted would happen to Julia?
3. Why do you think Rose collects unwanted things?
4. Were there times when you found yourself relating to Julia?
5. Why did the author choose to alternate between Julia’s and Rose’s narratives?
6. Where does the title “Orphans of the Carnival” come from?
7. How do you think Theo truly feels about Julia? Do you think he ever loved her?
8. How did you feel when the connection between Rose and Julia was revealed?
9. What do you think Marie’s motivations were in marrying Theo?
10. In looking back, what advice do you think would have been most valuable to Julia?
