Book Club Questions for The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon
Book club questions for The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon take a closer look at this dynamic story about Grace O’Malley. There will be spoilers, so for more context about the book, check out my spoiler-free review first.
Wow, what a big and epic story! I found it to be a real adventure. But there’s also quite a bit of depth, and plenty of heartache all throughout Grace’s story.
She’s as strong-willed and stubborn as one can be. I mean, she gave birth to a child, and then rose to help lead her crew against the attack on their ship. That was quite the scene.
Grace dealt with plenty of tragedy, from the death of her loved ones to a betrayal by her own son.
However, through it all, she never lost sight of her goals to lead her people and protect the land. She craved leadership, and she was able to achieve it and create a legacy.
Still, it wasn’t a perfect read for me. The nonlinear format was tricky at times, and as a result, I’m not sure if I was always as engaged with Grace’s journey as I expected.
For instance, there were times I was so into the story, and then it switched back to a different timeline, and it felt jarring. I did get the hang of it, but with so many names, places, ships, etc., reading the eBook version made it difficult at times. I feel if I had a printed copy, it would have been easier for me to go back and forth when needed.
Let me know in the comments below how you read The Pirate Queen: was it a print copy, eBook, or audiobook?
Also, did you read it in the nonlinear timeline, or did you read it in chronological order?
Book Club Questions for The Pirate Queen
- Let’s first discuss the book cover. It shows a ship sailing over a copper-colored braid. How does this image help to represent Grace’s journey? Let’s discuss the deeper meaning of Grace cutting off her braid when she was little.
- Did you know much about Grace O’Malley before reading The Pirate Queen? What are some aspects of her story that stuck out to you the most?
- The author Ariel Lawhon wrote the story in a nonlinear format and focused on the alternating timelines divided into three sections: Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch. Why do you feel the story was told in this way? Did you like the nonlinear format?
- Did anyone read the story in chronological order? If you did, when did you decide to read in that way instead?
- Which of those three sections were you most engaged with and why?
- The book covers a wide range of Grace’s life, but were there any aspects of her life you wished the book focused on in more detail?
- Why was being on the sea Grace’s true calling in life?
- Grace grew very close with her brother Donal, despite living in separate households. Why did the two share such a bond?
- While Grace has no choice in the marriage to the awful O’Flaherty (who is also Donal, but she refuses to call him by his first name), she does fall in love with Richard Bourke, who she’s not able to be with. What did you think of the love story between Grace and Richard?
- Grace has several enemies, including her first husband O’Flaherty, but her main antagonist in the novel is Sir Richard Bingham. What were your thoughts on Grace’s fight against him?
- Grace experiences the ultimate betrayal when Merrick sides with Richard Bingham, showcasing how he’s like his father. What were your thoughts as you read this unfold?
- What were some key ways Grace was able to earn the loyalty of her people and the shipmates? What key qualities did she demonstrate as a leader?
- Everything leads up to the crucial scene between Grace and Queen Elizabeth, where Grace refuses to bow to Queen Elizabeth, as Grace feels she’s also a Queen. In what ways were they similar?
- Queen Elizabeth tells Richard to release Grace’s son and brother. Why did she do this without asking anything in return?
- There’s no mention of Grace in official Irish history, only in English historical letters. Why do you think she is not officially covered in Irish history, only folklore?
- If Hollywood adapts The Pirate Queen into a movie, who should play Grace, and the other key roles?
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club questions for The Pirate Queen! Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions.
If you want to read more about Ireland, I highly recommend Land by Maggie O’Farrell. You truly feel immersed in Ireland starting in 1865, but also travel back to the time of the Great Hunger, and then return to the aftermath.
This is a classic historical fiction novel that I feel could be taught in high school and college, with all the different layers, themes, and metaphors.
For more about the book, check out my review here. And my book club questions here.
If you’re looking to read more of Ariel Lawhon’s backlist, I highly recommend I Was Anastasia.
I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon is an absorbing and fascinating work of historical fiction. Even though the subject matter is well-documented, the mystery of Anastasia Romanov and the famed imposter Anna Anderson, Lawhon takes a fresh spin on the topic in unexpected ways.
Happy reading!
About the Author
