This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here.
Book club questions for The Sun Sets in Singapore explore the themes of friendship, ambition, identity, and the hidden complexities behind seemingly perfect lives. They also delve into the impact of unresolved history, the nature of reinvention, and the sacrifices we make in the pursuit of our goals.
Charming, sweet, and emotional, this is a striking debut novel by Kehinde, and I’m eager to learn more about her upcoming novels! The characters are bold and worth rooting for, and the story is beautifully written and vibrant – quite a page turner!
How did you like this novel? ✨
The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe
In this blog post you will find the discussion questions for The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe.
At the bottom of this post I have prepared a printable PDF with downloadable book club questions for this novel so you can use them with your book clubs, and I also have some additional suggestions for novels that share similar themes and narratives.
Book Club Questions | Additional Recommendations | Printable List
About the Story
The Sun Sets in Singapore follows the lives of three strong-willed women—Dara, Amaka, and Lillian. Each woman is chasing her dreams in this glamorous expat paradise, but their lives take unexpected turns when a mysterious newcomer arrives, disrupting their close-knit community.
Dara, an ambitious lawyer, is on a relentless quest for success, while Amaka indulges in the luxury of high-end shopping, and Lillian seeks reinvention as a trailing spouse. As their ambitions collide with insecurities and obsessions, the enigmatic stranger exposes hidden cracks in Singapore’s facade.
Through their intertwined stories, the novel explores friendship, female ambition, and the complexities of defining oneself.
Set against the backdrop of Singapore’s allure, the book delves into the struggles and triumphs of these women, reminding readers that unresolved pasts can catch up with us, no matter how far we try to escape.
About the Author
Kehinde Fadipe is a talented British-Nigerian actress and an emerging storyteller in the literary world. Trained at RADA, she has graced both stage and screen, leaving an mark with her performances in productions like “Misfits” (E4) and “Ruined” (Almeida Theatre).
Fadipe’s debut novel, The Sun Sets in Singapore, which was also released under the title In Such Tremendous Heat, has been selected as a Read With Jenna Book Club Pick for October 2023. Her writing style, characterized by rich character development and a keen exploration of complex themes, has garnered acclaim.
Fadipe’s ability to capture the nuances of human experiences has quickly made her a standout voice in contemporary literature.
Book Club Questions for The Sun Sets in Singapore
Disclaimer: the following discussion questions contain spoilers, so proceed with caution if you haven’t finished the book yet.
- Each of the main characters, Dara, Amaka, and Lillian, has different aspirations and ambitions. How do their ambitions shape their actions and relationships throughout the story?
- Lillian, in particular, is going through a phase of reinvention. How does her attempt to redefine herself affect her relationships with Dara and Amaka? In what ways do the characters grapple with their identities in the expat community?
- Discuss the arrival of Lani, the enigmatic stranger, and how his presence disrupts the lives of Dara, Amaka, and Lillian. How does he challenge their perceptions of themselves and each other?
- The story is set in Singapore, a city known for its diverse culture. How does the cultural backdrop of Singapore influence the characters’ experiences and decisions? In what ways does the city impact their lives?
- If you were in the characters’ shoes, how would you have reacted differently in certain situations, especially concerning their ambitions, coping mechanisms, or personal relationships?
- Explore the dynamics of the female friendships in the story. How do Dara, Amaka, and Lillian support or challenge each other? What complexities arise in their friendships, especially considering their different backgrounds and aspirations?
- The title, “The Sun Sets in Singapore,” holds symbolic meaning. What do you think the title signifies about the characters’ journeys and their eventual resolutions? How did the title influence your expectations of the story?
- The novel incorporates niche topics such as Greek mythology, designer fashion, and classical music. How did these interests contribute to the depth of the characters? Did you find these elements enriching or distracting from the main narrative?
- The story explores coping mechanisms, such as Amaka’s focus on material possessions. How do the characters cope with their struggles, and do these coping mechanisms help or hinder them in the long run?
- The novel portrays the lives of Nigerian expats. How does the author handle cultural representation and diversity in the story? What aspects of Nigerian culture are depicted, and how do they add depth to the narrative?
- Discuss the contrast between the characters’ expectations of expat life in Singapore and the reality they experience. How do their initial perceptions evolve throughout the story?
- Focus on the character arcs of Dara, Amaka, and Lillian. How do they change and grow as individuals from the beginning of the story to the end?
- Were there moments where you wished the story slowed down for deeper exploration, or did you appreciate the constant excitement? Share instances where the pacing heightened your engagement with the plot.
- Misogyny and family strife were powerful themes. Have you encountered similar challenges in your workplace or family life? How did the characters’ experiences resonate with your own observations?
- Without giving away spoilers, what did you think about the ending? Did it provide satisfying closure for the characters’ storylines? Were there any surprises or twists that stood out to you?
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club discussion questions and reading guide for The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations related to this book:
The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok
Jasmine Yang arrives in New York City from her rural Chinese village without money or family support, fleeing a controlling husband, on a desperate search for the daughter who was taken from her at birth—another female casualty of China’s controversial One Child Policy.
But with her husband on her trail, the clock is ticking, and she’s forced to make increasingly risky decisions if she ever hopes to be reunited with her daughter.
Meanwhile, publishing executive Rebecca Whitney seems to have it all: a prestigious family name and the wealth that comes with it, a high-powered career, a beautiful home, a handsome husband, and an adopted Chinese daughter she adores. She’s even hired a nanny to help her balance the demands of being a working wife and mother. But when an industry scandal threatens to jeopardize not only Rebecca’s job but her marriage, this perfect world begins to crumble and her role in her own family is called into question.
The Leftover Woman finds these two unforgettable women on a shocking collision course. Twisting and suspenseful and surprisingly poignant, it’s a profound exploration of identity and belonging, motherhood and family. It is a story of two women in a divided city—separated by severe economic and cultural differences yet bound by a deep emotional connection to a child.
The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar
An immersive story about family secrets and the power of forgiveness from the bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick Honor.
When Remy Wadia left India for the United States, he carried his resentment of his cold and inscrutable mother with him and has kept his distance from her. Years later, he returns to Bombay, planning to adopt a baby from a young pregnant girl—and to see his elderly mother again before it is too late. She is in the hospital, has stopped talking, and seems to have given up on life.
Struck with guilt for not realizing just how ill she had become, Remy devotes himself to helping her recover and return home. But one day in her apartment he comes upon an old photograph that demands explanation. As shocking family secrets surface, Remy finds himself reevaluating his entire childhood and his relationship to his parents, just as he is on the cusp of becoming a parent himself. Can Remy learn to forgive others for their human frailties, or is he too wedded to his sorrow and anger over his parents’ long-ago decisions?
Surprising, devastating, and ultimately a story of redemption and healing still possible between a mother and son, The Museum of Failures is a tour de force from one of our most elegant storytellers about the mixed bag of love and regret. It is also, above all, a much-needed reminder that forgiveness comes from empathy for others.
For my book club questions for this book, click here!
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Two women from opposite sides of the country are brought together by violent acts of the same man, and become allies and sisters in arms as they pursue the justice that would otherwise elude them in one of the most acclaimed, highly anticipated thrillers of the year.
Masterfully blending elements of psychological suspense and true crime, Jessica Knoll—author of the bestselling novel Luckiest Girl Alive and the writer behind the Netflix adaption starring Mila Kunis—delivers a new and exhilarating thriller in Bright Young Women.
The book opens on a Saturday night in 1978, hours before a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house with deadly results. The lives of those who survive, including sorority president and key witness, Pamela Schumacher, are forever changed. Across the country, Tina Cannon is convinced her missing friend was targeted by the man papers refer to as the All-American Sex Killer—and that he’s struck again. Determined to find justice, the two join forces as their search for answers leads to a final, shocking confrontation.
Printable PDF
Feel free to distribute these discussion questions to your book club members before your meeting. Simply click the link below to download and print the PDF file.
Happy reading! ❤️