My Contrary Mary Book Club Questions: Where History Becomes Hilarious

Aug 5

2 min read

Age: YA (14+)

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Reading the series?

Check out the guide for My Lady Jane, a companion novel set in the same world.

Quick Review of My Contrary Mary

This delightful romp of a historical fantasy is perfect for YA readers who want a lot to talk about while not taking themselves too seriously. In contrast to companion novel My Lady Jane, which has a quickly arranged marriage, this book features a relationship where the couple has been promised to each other from a young age. This creates a whole new set of interesting questions about gender dynamics and maturing into the next phase of a relationship.

Book Club Questions

Surrounded by people with strong personalities, Francis and Ari often feel like they don’t matter. What changes their perspective on their ability to contribute?
Francis states, “Speaking up shouldn’t fall to the common E∂ian. If royalty cannot express their opinions without fear of consequences, what must others risk?” What responsibility do you think those in leadership have to speak up on divisive issues?
Mary’s motto for Francis (and herself), is “eyes up.” What does this motto mean to you? Is there a motto or saying you live by?
Mary tells Francis that if he has to tell people he’s a king, he isn’t really one. She has to face the same reality later as she tries to reestablish herself as queen of Scotland. Based on Francis and Mary’s experiences, what do you think makes someone a real king/queen?
Mary consistently does the opposite of what she’s told. When is her contrariness an asset vs a liability?
Mary is often described as perfect. While meant as a compliment, how does this descriptor negatively affect Mary?
Mary says, “If I have enemies, the only way to bring them over to my side is for them to get to know me better.” Do you agree? Have you experienced this?
Do you think Mary and Francis have a healthy relationship dynamic at the book’s start? In what ways does their relationship improve by the end?
When Francis realizes he might lose Mary, he realizes he should have told her he loved her when he had the chance. Do you have a relationship you’d like to improve while you can? What steps could you take to change it?
Mary sees her first wedding as an end and her second as a beginning. How does this reflect her character growth over the book?