Printable Book Club Questions for The Mad Wife by Meagan Church

What was your impression of Lulu at the start of the novel?
Let’s discuss the setting in 1950s American suburbia. Which details about life in that era stuck out to you the most?
How has society evolved since then? Do you see any parallels from that time period to our current one?
Lulu is known as the “queen of molded food” in her neighborhood. Why did Lulu go to such work to make those, and what did it truly represent to her?
We can instantly tell Lulu is struggling. She has unresolved trauma from what happened to her brother, and it appears she struggled with postpartum depression following the birth of her son. Discuss your thoughts about Lulu’s pressure to be a perfect wife and mother.
Why was everyone so quick to label Lulu as “hysterical” instead of trying to help her?
The 1950s were a scary time to be a woman, with the lack of freedom and the dangers of medical misdiagnosis. What were your thoughts as you read about the limitations of freedom that Lulu and the other women had?
Why was the appearance of the new neighbor, Bitsy, so unsettling to Lulu? What did she represent to her?
What were your thoughts when it turned out Bitsy did have a lobotomy?
What was your impression of Lulu’s husband, Henry?
We seem to follow Lulu’s descent into madness after the birth of her second daughter, Esther. What did you believe was happening during these frantic scenes before everything came crashing down?
The truth comes out that Esther died, and that Lulu was so traumatized by the event that she couldn’t face the truth. What were your thoughts when you read this unfold?
Eventually, Henry agrees to send Lulu to a facility where she’s forced to get electroshock therapy. How could he agree to this?
Lulu eventually escapes and comes back to her mother, who instantly realizes she has lupus. Let’s discuss how she was misdiagnosed by so many.
After getting the proper diagnosis, Lulu returns home to rebuild her life. What happens next for Lulu and her family?