Printable Book Club Questions for Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

What do you think about Curtis’s decision to write a retelling of Hillary’s life?
How much did you know about Hillary, beyond the basics, prior to reading the novel? What’s your opinion of her?
In the novel, Curtis really dives into her relationship with Bill including the passion and similarities in career aspirations. We know this is fiction but still based on a real couple. Do you think this was a realistic portrayal of their relationship for the most part? Where do you think the author took fictional liberties with it? Do you think they’re happy in their marriage?
Let’s talk about why Hillary was so drawn to Bill to begin with. She talks about her failure to connect with men as they seem to treat her as almost like a fellow guy and not a romantic interest. How did Bill treat her differently in the beginning of their courtship?
Hillary has said that she turned down Bill a couple times before finally accepting his marriage proposal. Why do you think she turned him down before eventually saying yes?
Hillary is the protagonist but it turns out that Bill is antagonist—even though they break up, she never can quite escape her relationship with Bill. What did you think about the author’s portrayal of Bill and his affairs?
Once they break up, Hillary forges her own path and like in real life, she becomes a senator. What did you think about the sections dedicated to her senate run?
She never does marry and doesn’t have a child in this timeline. It’s interesting that the media still finds something to target with her—in this case, it’s her single status. She still deals with plenty of misogyny and just general BS as a female politician. Why do you think the media is so concerned with the personal lives of female candidates?
Many times, Hillary remarks that Bill is probably the love of her life (before the 2005 meeting). Let’s talk about this.
And now let’s talk about when Hillary goes to visit Bill at his place in California. She thinks they’re both single and they might hook up again, maybe even get back together. But Bill rebuffs her and she’s angry and humiliated. Let’s talk about this scene.
Like in real life, Hillary makes a couple presidential runs. But the fictional 2016 election is miles away from the real one. In this timeline, she’s running against Bill and Donald Trump ends up endorsing Hillary (!). Why do you think the author decided to have Bill run such a nasty campaign against Hillary as opposed to Trump in this timeline?
Hillary secures the victory and becomes the first woman president. Let’s talk about this.
What do you think a Hillary presidency would have looked like in real life? Do you think Bill was an Achilles heel for her during the run?
The story ends with Hillary thinking: “If I’ll never know how much this was my path because of fate and how much because I willed it, the question is less important than that I made it across. Now other women know they, too, can make it, and not because I or anyone else tells them. They know because they’ve seen it happen.” When do you think we’ll finally see a woman president?
The story talks about tradeoffs. In letting go of Bill, Rodham misses out on marriage and having a child. But in doing so, she eventually becomes the president. Let’s discuss this concept of tradeoffs in life.
Let’s talk about the differences between fate vs free will. Is it one or the other or is life a balance between the two?