Reading Guide

Book Group Reading Guide

I’m more than happy to take part in book groups to discuss Paris Kiss. Take a look at some suggested reading questions below. To arrange a book group event please see my contact page for info.

• Her friendship with Camille is important to Jessie. Do you think she was right to resume their friendship after everything Camille had put her through? What are the pitfalls and advantages of a close friendship between women?

• Jessie and Camille have to choose between their artistic careers and marriage & motherhood. Do women have more options today or does this dilemma still exist?

• Rodin and Camille have a mentor/pupil relationship. Who holds the power in this relationship and in what way?

• Camille accused Rodin of stealing her ideas, but Rodin insisted he helped her get ahead in the art world. Do you think this happens in relationships between male and female artists & writers? Can you think of other examples of artistic partnerships where the woman is overshadowed by the man?

• Discuss the difficulties Camille and Jessie face as women artists. Do women artists get more opportunities today? Talk about some women artists whose work you admire.

• Camille was committed to a mental asylum against her will. Do you think she was mentally ill? Do you think artistic and creative minds are more fragile or prone to ‘madness’?

• Paris Kiss is a fictionalised account of real events. Does the story being based on real people and real events make it more powerful or is the blend of fiction and fact confusing? What other books blend fiction and fact like this?

• Paris plays a big part in the novel. What contributes to the enduring attraction of this city? What does Paris mean to you?

• William or George? Who do you think Jessie should have chosen?

You can read about the art that inspired my writing of Paris Kiss, look at contemporary photographs of Rodin, Camille and Jessie, and explore further reading on the people and art of the times.