Reader's guide for "Kin" by Tayari Jones

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Oprah Winfrey named her newest book club pick: Tayari Jones' "Kin," a novel about two motherless daughters from the fictional town of Honeysuckle, Louisiana, where they grew up as "cradle friends."

"I chose it because of the entire story. The friendship and how you make kin out of people," Winfrey said.

Here are a couple questions to guide you as you read "Kin" by Jones, who has been tapped twice now by Winfrey as an author to read.

Reader's Guide Questions

We are all born into stories that are already underway. Do you think Annie's and Vernice's trajectories were ordained by the mothers they never knew? How much are their paths paved by their own decisions? What role does chance play in their journeys?
Annie and Vernice are both motherless, but their circumstances are different. Vernice knows that she will never see her mother again, but Annie harbors hope for a reunion. Which of them is in a better position?
On page 50 Babydoll attempts to demonstrate that she has Annie all figured out. She describes her as shy and calls her a princess. Annie thinks to herself, "Nobody would for one second think to call me shy if I stood next to Niecy . . . " (50). In what ways do Niecy and Annie need each other to define themselves?
Why is it so hard for Irene to tell Vernice she loves her?
Issues such as domestic violence, LGBTQIA+ rights, and reproductive justice play a significant role in this story, which is set decades before these topics were talked about publicly. How have things changed since then, and how are they similar?
On the way to Spelman, Vernice is kicked off the bus for accidentally sitting in the white section. A Black man comes to her "rescue" and slaps her—he claims for her protection—but Vernice senses something more menacing. What do you believe is his motivation? Is this violence different from the time in her childhood when Irene slaps her?
Dignity is a recurring theme in KIN. In what ways dothe characters seek to have dignity even though they live in a world that is determined to degrade them?
There are light sprinkles of magical realism in this book. How did mentions of ghosts and superstition enhance your reading experience? What is the difference between superstition, spirituality, and religion?
Why do you think Spelman is a "hellhole" to Joette (133)? Why doesn't Vernice feel the same way?
How are Lulabelle and Mrs. McHenry similar as found mothers?
When Vernice and Mrs. McHenry meet for the first time, Mrs. McHenry's intense interest in Vernice almost overwhelms her (154). Why do you think it was such a memorable experience to have someone's undivided attention? Can there be "love at first sight" outside of the realm of romance?
There are so many different interpretations of love in this book: Joette and Vernice, Vernice and Franklin, Bobo and Annie, Babydoll and Clyde, Annie and Vernice. How do these different relationships explore love? Which was your favorite?
Is Bobo justified in leaving Annie?
Babydoll gives a biting review of Lulabelle: "She's a pimp . . . . A pimp will always give you what you need to stay alive. What's a pimp going to do with a dead whore? (197)" Do you agree? Does Lulabelle care about anyone more than profit? Does her affection for Annie excuse her other actions?
When Vernice and Franklin are courting, Franklin comes across a case involving orphaned children and he gets emotional, thinking of Vernice. As he cries, Vernice asks him, "Could you cry for Annie?" (214). What is the significance of this request?
Explore the concept of "contagious humiliation" regarding the young girl who needs to use the bathroom at the bus station where there are no toilets for Black people (241–243).
At the wedding, is Joette miserable because of her love for Vernice, or is her unhappiness due to something greater?
When Vernice seeks help for Annie, Mrs. McHenry warns her to turn away and "build a moat" between her and the mess . . . (297). What do you think of that advice?
Were you surprised by the ending? Why or why not?
Use your imagination to project five years past the last page. What do you think the characters are up to?