Book Club Guide: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Best-selling author Fiona Davis is known for historical fiction mysteries set in iconic New York City buildings. The Stolen Queen is no different, taking us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late 1970s and to Egypt in the 1970s and the 1930s.
It’s a fun ride—told in two different time periods with two strong female main characters who are complex, flawed, and honest.
We follow Charlotte, an Egyptologist fighting misogyny in 1930s Europe and later an associate curator at the Museum fighting misogyny in 1970s New York. We also follow Annie, a young woman with a challenging life in 1970s New York trying to figure out what to do with herself.
They are linked when they meet in the Met and bond over their interest in The Cerulean Queen, believed to be an ancient Egyptian artifact depicting the maligned female pharaoh Hathorkare, and a beautiful Egyptian collar believed to have belonged to Hathorkare. Charlotte knows the artifact’s troubled—possibly cursed—past.
The story is a bit slow to start, but once it gets going and you learn of Charlotte’s tragic history and the multiple mysteries surrounding Hathorkare and the artifacts, readers are immediately drawn in. It becomes a fast-paced read that I stayed up way too late finishing.
There are also lots of great pieces to it that make it a perfect book club selection—read on for suggested book club discussion questions and ideas for making your meeting memorable.
The Stolen Queen Book Club Discussion Questions:
**Note: some of these questions contain spoilers.**
- Charlotte faced many challenges: being a woman in a male-dominated field, unsupportive parents, the boat tragedy with her husband and daughter, and Everett’s abandonment after hearing her story. Yet Annie sees her as strong, experienced, and inspiring. How do you see Charlotte, and what do you think of her life? What parts of Annie’s story add to her reason for viewing Charlotte as powerful?
- Annie used to visit the Met with her father, making it a place of comfort for her. Where do you go when seeking comfort? Is it a place from your childhood?
- Was there a particular character in the book you identified with most? Charlotte? Annie? Diana Vreeland? Perhaps Mrs. H?
- Charlotte asks herself: “Is the goal deaccession—sending everything back to its country of origin, no matter what—or is it better for an institution like the Met to hold on to the object and keep it safe? What if it gets sold by the country of origin to raise money—which happens all the time—and is placed in the private collection of some millionaire, where it’s lost to both the public and academia?” What are your thoughts on who should “keep” ancient artifacts, particularly in stark cases like the Met vs. the Egyptian Museum of Cairo?
- Both Charlotte and Annie are drawn to The Cerulean Queen (based on the hauntingly beautiful “Fragment of a Queen’s Face”). Have you ever been drawn to a work of art? Why do you think art sometimes has that power?
- After returning from Egypt, Annie says, “Being in Egypt—it’s hard to explain—but it changed everything. After almost being killed during a tomb cave-in, asking Mrs. Vreeland what on earth she means is no big deal.” What is it about travel—especially to a completely different culture—that brings out a sense of freedom and confidence?
- Fiona Davis reveals that the story of Hathorkare and Saukemet I and II isn’t real but is based on the story of Hatshepsut and Thutmose II and III. She also reveals that there wasn’t a Met Gala in 1978. How does Davis balance historical facts with creative storytelling? How do you feel when reading historical fiction and discovering the storyline is vastly different from what happened in history?
- At what point did you realize Henry and Layla were still alive? What did you think of Henry’s story and the reveal of Layla?
- Why do you think Fiona Davis chose to set the book in the 1970s and not in modern day?
- There was a hint of a curse from the very beginning of the book. What did you think the curse referred to, and how did it turn out in the end?
Unique Book Club Ideas for The Stolen Queen:
- Diana Vreeland Inspiration: Diana Vreeland, the fashion designer/editor who is Annie’s boss and creator of the Met Gala event featured in the book, was a real person. Research more about Diana’s life (maybe watch the movie Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel), have attendees wear their own versions of a popover dress, or decorate the room with covers from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, or photos from the most recent Met Gala.
- Treasures of Tutankhamun Exhibit: The blockbuster 1970s exhibit featured artifacts from the tomb of ancient Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamun. Display photos from the exhibit around the room and discuss why you think it was so popular back then and whether the exhibit would have the same draw now.
- Mini Dig for Artifacts: Go on your own little dig for ancient Egyptian artifacts! Technically a children’s toy, but members of your book club will enjoy channeling their inner Charlotte and “digging” for their own collection of artifacts with Egyptian Dig Kits.
- Egyptian Mandalas: As you have your discussion, provide attendees with Egyptian-themed mandalas to color.
- Feteer Meshaltet: Make this ancient Egyptian bread, left at the temples of gods and now a symbol of generosity and welcome.
- Egyptian Bookmarks: Give everyone an ancient Egypt-themed bookmark to take home as a keepsake from your book club meeting for The Stolen Queen.
Have fun with these discussion questions (and others you come up with on your own!) and other creative ideas and your book club discussion for The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis will be a memorable experience for all.
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