READERS GUIDE
Reader’s GuideSunshine and Spice by Aurora Palit
Discussion Questions:
1. Although Naomi’s interest in rebranding Gia’s Bazaar begins as a means of building her own business and paying the bills, it soon becomes much more than that. In what ways does the rebrand become part of her identity? What are the dangers/upsides of tying your professional life to your personal one?
2. How do Naomi’s and Dev’s complex relationships with their respective families shape them as adults? How can a person bridge the gap between the relationship they have with their families as children and the one they have with them as adults?
3. When Naomi meets the Mukherjee family, she decides to adopt the “fake it until you make it” philosophy to earn their trust and respect. Was this the right decision for her? At what point does this decision blow up in her face?
4. When the truth of Naomi’s Bengali roots is revealed, Dev feels hurt and betrayed, prompting Naomi to tell him: “You know who I am. You know the parts that matter. I’m sorry that you feel lied to, but I don’t owe you shit.” What do you think of her statements? How much of ourselves—like what we believe, identify with, and feel—do we owe to other people?
5. A lot of the characters’ relationships depend on how they identify with others, whether it’s the color of their skin, cultural heritage, the way they were raised, current relationships with their families, etc. How much do these things matter in the relationships you have in your life? Do they define how you relate to others?
6. Dev spends a lot of time questioning what constitutes a lasting, happy marriage, and Veera Auntie, the matchmaker, tells him: “Dating and having fun barely scratch the surface of what it means to be married. So instead of focusing on what puzzle pieces fit together right now, think about the big picture. What is going to keep those pieces locked together for the rest of your life?” Do you agree with Veera Auntie’s advice? What are the components that matter to you for a long-term relationship?
7. From everything Naomi and her mother, Sue, reveal about Naomi’s maternal grandparents, do you think Naomi should attempt to reunite with her grandparents? How do you think it would play out if she did?
8. This novel explores how immigrants and first-generation offspring navigate creating a sense of identity for themselves in a community/country that doesn’t always feel like their own. Have you ever struggled with this challenge? What do you think builds the foundation for a person to feel acceptance, belonging, and security in themselves?
9. The epilogue of Sunshine and Spice offers a brief glance of how Naomi fits into the Mukherjee family. What message do you think the author is trying to inspire in the reader? What do you think Naomi’s life with the Mukherjees will look like?
