- Nola’s bond with Lulu is instantaneous. What in Nola’s background has set this relationship in motion? Do you have experience with forming such an immediate, unflagging parent-child bond?
- Many performing artists are married to their managers. Bring some examples. Why might it be? What is Nola and Wade’s marriage based on?
- Discuss how Nola and Wade’s relationship evolved from the time they first met until it unraveled. Where did it go wrong? Was Wade’s love for Nola genuine at first? Did he still love her at the end? Could Nola have changed the course of their relationship? Could Wade? If so, how?
- Wade is efficient, capable, and ambitious. He gets along with both staff and business contacts. When Lulu upsets his world, can you sympathize with his refusal to adopt? What, if anything, in his behavior alerted you to his dark side?
- Discuss the extent to which everyone surrounding Nola has their own agenda. Besides Wade, what are Roberta’s, Jean-Claude’s, Leslie’s and even Dr. Ming-Ji Liang’s and Daniel’s? Do any of these agendas evolve as the story develops? How?
- Daniel is quoted as saying, “China feeds its people. With 22% percent of the planet’s population and only seven percent of the arable land, this is quite a feat.” Yet he and many critics consider that with its harsh policy, China creates pressure for female infanticide. How would you strike the balance?
- Ambassador Ashford says “…we can’t barge in with our Judeo-Christian mores, judge this country by our values, and meddle in their affairs.” Should the United States take a stronger stand on the issue of Chinese female infanticide? If it means giving asylum to a million babies and to their coerced mothers each year would you still feel the same?
- Nola’s childhood was traumatic. To what extent do you blame her parents? To what extent were these events her fault? Discuss her reluctance to blame her parents. Do you find it surprising that she was able to let go of her anger and resentment?
- Discuss the complex relationship between Nola and her sister Jenna over the years. Do you think Nola would have done more or less had she not felt responsible for disfiguring Jenna? Was she too patient, enabling her sister to remain disturbed or addicted?
- Nola decides to use her celebrity status—and her voice—to tell the world about China’s neglected and murdered infants. Discuss specific celebrities and how they use their fame to publicize issues close to their hearts. Do their messages really bring change in a meaningful way, or are celebrities exploiting social, environmental, religious or political issues for mere publicity? Do you think they should only put on a good show, be paid for their performance, and leave?
- Beverly Cutter, a teacher, took Nola under her wing and gave her the security and guidance. But what if there had been no such special teacher in Nola’s life? Would the mute old man have been enough had Nola been left in the care of Mini-Nazi or in a group home? Do you know a teacher who made a profound difference in a student’s life?
- Ambassador Ashford and George Mauriello attempt to thwart Nola in her mission to save Lulu. Are they heartless villains? Are they simply doing their jobs? What would you do in that position? Could either have acted differently?
- Discuss “appeasement” vs. “engagement” policies. Which, do you believe, is more effective? Given what you have read here and possibly elsewhere, do you believe the U.S. and China are on a collision course?
- “China Doll” is the name Daniel Chen refers to Nola prior to knowing her and before she evolves and learns to assert herself. What is it about him that attracts her? How does he challenge her and why he then offers only limited help along the way? How does she rise to become the kind of woman he admires?
- Please read about The Dying Rooms controversy on the author’s website and discuss whether a novel such as CHINA DOLL (as well as the photo articles about fatal neglect of babies) may upset the delicate diplomatic balance that adoption agencies and the US government try to maintain. Do you think that CHINA DOLL or other such reports and stories should not be written?