"Sunburn" by Chloe Michelle Howarth

"She is fresh air, and warmth, and mornings in July. What is there to fix? There is evil in my yearning, I know, I just can't see where yet."

Themes:  Sexuality; Religion; Shame; Mother/Daughter Relationship; Coming-Of-Age; Uncertainty; Becoming; Friendship; Warmth; Light; Shame; Compulsory Heterosexuality

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Lucy's relationship with her mother compare to the relationship between Susannah and her mother? What do their relationships say about dependency and tell us about how the girls love?

2. How did Lucy change and grow from the beginning to the end of the book? Was her growth linear?

3. How did you feel about the relationship between Lucy and Martin? What did she learn from him? What were the purposes of his character?

4. Was there a specific moment that stood out to you when Lucy was young that spoke to queerness? Did you find her queer 'awakening' relatable?

5. How does Howarth speak to the tension and complexities of transition from childhood to adulthood? What did she do well in this coming-of-age novel?

6. What role does insecurity play in this book? How do Lucy's insecurities affect her relationship with Susannah?

7. Do you have a favorite moment where Howarth employs the metaphor or motif of sunlight/warmth? Lucy is constantly comparing Susannah to the sun—what does this mean with regard to the title of the book? Does Susannah burn her?

8. How did you feel about the letters between Lucy and Susannah?

9. What does Lucy desire most? Does it change throughout the book?