Her Cousin's Keeper Discussion Questions
1. Is Nicola's effort to "change her look" a result of low self-esteem or a result of an improved self image?
2. Ayana's "love them and leave them" attitude seems to serve her well until she meets Kris. What is it about him that changes her attitude toward relationships? Do you think that a relationship between them will last?
3. Ayana has hated Jason for years. What do you think is the true reason behind Ayana's hatred? Do her feelings revolve solely around her own hurt feelings, or is she truly concerned that her cousin will ultimately experience the same pain that she felt as a teen?
4. Black relationships play a big role in this book, from Mattie's memories of her relationship with her husband, to her granddaughters' relationships in the present. In your opinion, how have black relationships and dating changed since Mattie's time? What are some factors that you feel have led to these changes?
5. In her interview with her grandmother, Nicola asks Mattie if she thinks the lyrics in music have any effect on the way men and women treat each other. What would your answer to this question be?
6. Candace chooses to believe Jason's excuse for being arrested. Do you think she's being naive? Is she likely to find herself in the same situation that her mother is in?
7. Do you think that Theresa knew about Joseph's cheating all along as Ayana suggested? Do you think she will, or should, forgive him?
8. At the end of the story, Joseph leaves the wedding alone because of his "bad behavior". Do you think Ayana should have been denied her happy ending due to her bad behavior throughout the book?
2. Ayana's "love them and leave them" attitude seems to serve her well until she meets Kris. What is it about him that changes her attitude toward relationships? Do you think that a relationship between them will last?
3. Ayana has hated Jason for years. What do you think is the true reason behind Ayana's hatred? Do her feelings revolve solely around her own hurt feelings, or is she truly concerned that her cousin will ultimately experience the same pain that she felt as a teen?
4. Black relationships play a big role in this book, from Mattie's memories of her relationship with her husband, to her granddaughters' relationships in the present. In your opinion, how have black relationships and dating changed since Mattie's time? What are some factors that you feel have led to these changes?
5. In her interview with her grandmother, Nicola asks Mattie if she thinks the lyrics in music have any effect on the way men and women treat each other. What would your answer to this question be?
6. Candace chooses to believe Jason's excuse for being arrested. Do you think she's being naive? Is she likely to find herself in the same situation that her mother is in?
7. Do you think that Theresa knew about Joseph's cheating all along as Ayana suggested? Do you think she will, or should, forgive him?
8. At the end of the story, Joseph leaves the wedding alone because of his "bad behavior". Do you think Ayana should have been denied her happy ending due to her bad behavior throughout the book?
