30 Swan Song Book Club Questions and Reading Guide (+PDF)
Get Swan Song book club questions (without spoilers!) here. “Queen of the beach reads” Elin Hilderbrand’s last book offers so much glamour and drama to discuss while you party like the Richardsons. I’ve also included “pink and white party” ideas from the story!
You’ll be fully prepared to explore this book for vacation reading and simultaneously have fun. Print a PDF of the discussion questions below to take with you too!
Quick Summary of Swan Song With Themes
June 2024’s Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand brings an extravagant new couple, the Richardsons, to Nantucket. However, before summer’s end, their flashy multi-million dollar estate burns to the ground, and their personal concierge goes missing.
This swiftly thwarts longtime police chief Ed Kapenash’s retirement plans, who becomes embroiled in the investigation one last time.
It’s a good book club book for because it blends everything her readers crave into one final narrative: characters we know and love, Nantucket references, pop culture references, summer fun, drama, romance, mystery, and “rich people problems.” In addition, she incorporated the most extravagant parties I’ve ever read about: the pink and white party!
Because of Bull’s financial trouble, Leslee burned the house down for insurance money. She goes to prison for arson.
Coco writes a screenplay, The Personal Concierge, based on the summer’s events, which becomes a hit film. Watching it, Leslee recalls Coco jumping off the yacht and realizes the Richardsons lost everything while Coco gained wealth and fame.
Book club readers can discuss themes like wealth disparity, community dynamics, personal transformation, and the impact of newcomers on a tight-knit society.
Watch Elin Hilderbrand discuss this book with CBS Mornings on Youtube:
Discuss the author’s choice to tie Chief of Police Ed Kapenash’s character arc into this story.
Why do you think the author chose a mysterious fire to be central to this story?
Why did Ed want to be involved in the investigation?
It’s mentioned that “The late great novelist John Gardner famously said that there are only two plots: One, a person goes on a journey, and two, a stranger comes to town.” Do you agree?
Technically, three strangers come to town. Whose story is it?
Name as many Easter eggs from other novels by author Elin Hilderbrand as you can.
What was your favorite Nantucket reference?
What was your favorite pop culture reference?
Why is this popular Mary Oliver quote from the poem “The Summer Day” repeated (including as the title of the final chapter): “Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?”
What do you make of the novel’s many book and author references?
Why did Colleen (Coco) accept the job with the Richardsons?
What was your favorite Richardson party and why?
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Richardsons.
Why were the islanders so intrigued by the Richardsons?
Why did Leslee want to get into The Field and Oar Club so badly?
What is the significance of the names 888 and Hedonism?
How did the author incorporate diversity into this novel?
Did you like Coco’s screenplay ideas?
Who did you think started the fire?
What did you think happened to Coco?
Without giving anything away, what would you have done if you were Coco?
Are Bull and Leslee a good couple?
Did the ending surprise you?
Discuss the final sentence.
What do you think is next in the lives of characters such as Sharon Blond?
Did Elin Hilderbrand’s Swan Song live up to the hype (literary and figuratively)?
What is Elin Hilderbrand’s legacy?
Printable PDF Reading Guide of the Discussion Questions
Book Club Ideas for Swan Song‘s Pink and White Party
Move over, Jay Gatsby! The Richardsons’ pink and white party is the most wild and lavish literary party about which I’ve ever read. That’s why I recommend you use the many details from the book about it for your own book club gathering.
Drinks
Related Elin Hilderbrand Posts
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
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