Book Club Questions for Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe

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Book club discussion questions for Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe explore a heartwarming and emotional story about family, forgiveness, and second chances.

When middle-aged single mom, Savannah Conley, returns to her hometown of Round O, South Carolina, she never expects to reconnect with her estranged mother, Zoey. With the help of a quirky book club and a little bit of Southern charm, Savannah begins to unravel the secrets of her past and discovers that sometimes, forgiveness is the key to moving forward.

As Savannah navigates the complicated relationships between herself, her mother, and her teenage daughter, she also uncovers a buried family history that threatens to tear them apart. Will she be able to forgive and heal the wounds of the past, or will she succumb to the weight of her family’s legacy?

As you dive into this captivating novel, you will encounter rich themes and complex characters that will leave a lasting impression. This discussion guide provides a variety of book club questions for Under the Magnolias to inspire in-depth conversations about the novel’s many layers of meaning.

While exploring the world of Magnolia and the Foster siblings, you may find yourself pondering the ways in which the novel’s themes of forgiveness, mental illness, family, and community play out. Through these thought-provoking questions, you will be invited to consider the motivations of the characters and the impact of their actions on one another.

Whether you are a seasoned book club member or a newcomer, this guide will help you navigate the intricate web of relationships and hidden truths that lie beneath the surface of Under the Magnolias. So, settle in, relax, and let’s embark on a journey of discovery and reflection together.

Welcome to the world of Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe!

The Synopsis

Magnolia, South Carolina, 1980

Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.

Scratching out a living on the family’s tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. When a few random acts of kindness help to ease the Fosters’ hardships, Austin finds herself relying upon some of Magnolia’s most colorful citizens for friendship and more. But it’s next to impossible to hide the truth about the goings-on at Nolia Farms, and Austin’s desperate attempts to save face all but break her.

Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her―with the son of a wealthy local family who she’s crushed on for years―her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family’s secrets and lead to a public reckoning. There are consequences for loving a boy like Vance Cumberland, but there is also freedom in the truth.

T. I. Lowe’s gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.

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Book Club Questions for Under the Magnolias

I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe. ✨

In Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe, the story unfolds in a secluded farm in rural South Carolina during the 1980s. How does this specific setting affect the novel’s overall mood and tone, and how does it shape the characters’ actions and motivations?
The Magnolia community lives by the philosophy of “out of sight, out of mind.” What are the implications of this mindset on the town’s social dynamics and relationships, and how does it impact the story’s central conflicts and themes?
The novel deals with heavy themes such as loss, mental illness, and family dynamics, but it also features moments of humor and lightness. Discuss how the author balances these contrasting elements and how they contribute to the overall tone and message of the book.
Austin’s life takes an unexpected turn when she loses her mother at age 13 and becomes responsible for her six siblings and mentally ill father. How does she navigate this challenging situation, and what does it reveal about her resilience and strength?
In the novel, Austin struggles with the weight of responsibility that falls on her shoulders after her mother’s death. Discuss how she copes with this burden and how her siblings’ support helps her navigate this difficult time. How do you think you would react in a similar situation?
The Magnolia community is small and tight-knit, but it also has its fair share of secrets and gossip. Discuss the role of community in the novel and how it affects the characters’ relationships and actions. How does this theme compare to your own experiences in your community?
The novel’s setting in rural South Carolina in the 1980s plays a significant role in shaping the characters’ lives and the overall tone of the book. Discuss how the author’s descriptions of the setting create a sense of place and atmosphere, and how this affects your reading experience.
Mental illness is a central theme in the novel, with both Dave Foster and Vance Cumberland dealing with their own mental health issues. Discuss how the author portrays mental illness and how it affects the characters and their relationships. How does this theme compare to your own experiences with mental health?
Forgiveness is a prevalent theme in the novel, with Austin’s belief that it is a gift for oneself, not just the person being forgiven. Discuss how forgiveness plays a role in the novel’s themes and messages, and how this theme resonates with you personally.
The novel’s ending leaves some questions unanswered, particularly regarding the fate of certain characters. Discuss your interpretation of the ending and how it affects your overall perception of the book.
Vance Cumberland is determined to win Austin’s heart, but she keeps him at arm’s length for a long time. How does this element of the story add to the character development and plot, and what are the potential risks and rewards of their relationship?
In Nolia Farms, hard work and loyalty are highly valued. How do these values shape the characters’ decisions and actions, and what are the consequences of prioritizing these traits over other aspects of their lives?
Miss Wise is a central character in the novel who provides guidance and support to Austin during her difficult times. Discuss the significance of Miss Wise’s character and how her wisdom and guidance help shape the novel’s themes.
The theme of family is central to Under the Magnolias. Discuss how the Foster family’s dynamics and relationships evolve throughout the book. What do you think the author is trying to say about the importance of family, and how does this theme resonate with you personally?
The novel features several love stories, including Austin and Vance’s, as well as other characters such as Foxy Deveraux and Tripp Murphy. Discuss how the author portrays love and relationships in the novel, and how this theme compares to your own experiences with love and relationships.
Each of Austin’s siblings adopts different coping mechanisms to deal with their challenging circumstances. Which character and coping strategy resonated with you the most, and how does it contribute to the story’s themes and messages?
Various characters enter the Fosters’ lives throughout the novel, including Foxy Deveraux, Miss Wise, Morty Lawson, Tripp Murphy, Walynn Posten, and Miss Jones. How do these individuals influence Austin’s character development and life story, and which one left the most significant impact on you?
Dave Foster’s struggle with mental illness is a prevalent theme in the novel. How does this impact your reading experience, and how do you empathize with or react to his character?
Austin believes that forgiveness and letting go of anger are gifts that we give ourselves, not just others. Can you relate to this sentiment, and what are some examples from your life that support this idea?
The character of Dave Foster celebrates individuality and acceptance of differences. How have you seen this idea play out in society today, and what lessons can we learn from the novel’s portrayal of this theme?
The novel’s epilogue reveals what happens to the characters after the main events of the story. Which character’s outcome surprised you the most, and which ending did you find the most satisfying?
The title, Under the Magnolias, has both literal and metaphorical meanings in the story. What are some examples of hidden things that are revealed under the magnolias, and how does this motif contribute to the story’s themes and messages?

Selected Reviews for Under the Magnolias

T. I. writes with amazing grace and beautifully depicts the cost of keeping secrets when help might be available. This story is filled with rich, lovable characters, each rendered with profound compassion. . . . Under the Magnolias is sure to delight and inspire. —Francine Rivers

Under the Magnolias is a moving portrayal of the power of family―the one we’re born into and the one we create―and the resilience of the human spirit. In this memorable and moving story, T. I. Lowe has hit her stride. —Kristy Woodson Harvey

What a voice! If you’re looking for your next southern fiction fix, T. I. Lowe delivers. Readers of all ages will adore the spunk survivor Austin Foster, whose journey delivers both laughter and tears. . . . A must read. —Julie Cantrell

Additional Recommendations

Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe!

Here are some more of my book club recommendations:

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary…

Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.

With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.

Mrs. Wiggins by Mary Monroe

From the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of the classic, captivating, and scandalous Mama Ruby series, comes a church-going matriarch’s rags to riches Depression era story set in the Deep South. The respectable family she has built means everything to her, and she’ll do anything to keep them.

The daughter of a prostitute mother and an alcoholic father, Maggie Franklin knew her only way out was to marry someone upstanding and church-going. Someone like Hubert Wiggins, the most eligible man in Lexington, Alabama—and the son of its most revered preacher. Proper and prosperous, Hubert is glad to finally have a wife, even one with Maggie’s background. For Hubert has a secret he desperately needs to stay hidden. And Maggie’s unexpected charm, elegance, and religious devotion makes her the perfect partner in lies . . .

Their surprising union makes the Wigginses the town’s most envied couple—complete with a son, Claude, whom Maggie idolizes. Until he falls in love with the worst possible fiancée. Terrified, Maggie won’t let Daisy destroy her son. And when her employer’s brother sexually harasses her, Maggie knows something needs to be done about him as well. In fact, she realizes there are an awful lot of sinning “disruptive” people who should be eliminated from her perfect world . . .

But the more Maggie tries to take control, the more obstacles are thrown in her way. And when it seems like the one person she always expected to be there is starting to drift away, Maggie will play one final, merciless game to secure what she’s fought so hard to earn . . .

The Forgiving Kind by Donna Everhart

In this masterful new novel, set in 1950s North Carolina, the acclaimed author of The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree brings to life an unforgettable young heroine and a moving story of family love tested to its limits.

For twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her family’s cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their land—hoeing, planting, picking—but only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruin—until their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that year’s cotton crop.

Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowler’s offer; even more so when Sonny’s best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining water—an ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname “water witch” in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it won’t be enough to offset Mr. Fowler’s disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowler’s bigoted taunts. Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mama’s happiness, Sonny doesn’t need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violence—and perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.

Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions and as always, happy reading! ❤️