Foul Lady Fortune

In what ways might China be regarded as a divided country? Think about its political and cultural context in 1931 and give several examples of the conflicts affecting the nation.

Multiple characters form duos in the novel. These aren’t necessarily romantic pairings. Pick two examples and describe the dynamic between the characters who form the couple.

Compare and contrast Celia and Oliver. How are they alike? How are they different? Do both value love to the same degree?

Several factions are competing for power in Shanghai. Some are political, and some aren’t. Describe the major parties involved in trying to control the city and the country as a whole.

Rosalind and Orion initially seem to make an unlikely couple. Describe how their temperaments differ. What binds them together? How do they change by the end of the novel?

Describe how chemicals are used as a plot device in the novel. What other purpose do they serve?

Discuss the degree to which the central characters adopt false personas to achieve their ends. What are their true identities? Pick several examples to illustrate your point.

Silas and Phoebe play multiple roles in the story. How do their various deceptions affect their personal relationship with one another?