Discussion Questions for Melanie Benjamin's 1960s-inspired, California Golden
California Golden covers a lot of ground — or should we say beach? From Malibu to Vietnam to Hawaii, in her latest book author Melanie Benjamin does a fabulous job of perfectly capturing a glorious era from recent history while also crafting characters who you’ll come to feel for in big ways. Oh, yes. This is a novel that you’re going to want to think and talk about at length. Need a little help keeping your conversation or consideration on track? We’ve got you covered. But be careful: Spoilers below! Only dig in once you've finished the novel. And be sure to check out the full Page & Pairing Guide to California Golden while you read.
California Golden
by Melanie Benjamin
1. California Golden explores a number of themes, including family, loyalty, ambition, and reconciling societal norms with individual desires. Which theme resonates the most deeply with you, and why?
2. Mindy and Ginger’s parents never treated them well as kids and always involved them in their arguments. In what ways do you think this shaped Mindy and Ginger as individuals? How do you see this impact them throughout the rest of the story?
3. Despite a caring husband and loving daughters, Carol resented — and resisted — the traditional life in front of her. Why do you think that is? What could she have done differently? What would you have done if you were in her shoes?
4. Mindy and Ginger grow apart and live completely different lives. Why do you think they didn’t stay in contact with one another? How do you think their lives might have been different if they hadn’t fallen out of touch?
5. Ginger goes through so much pain in her life with no real support. Why do you think she was so attached to Tom even though he treated her so badly?
6. What does this novel tell you about love and friendship from family?
7. Do you think surfing serves as a metaphor in California Golden? What do you think it means?
8. If you were in Mindy’s shoes and found out your sister had had a baby with your significant other, would your reaction have been the same as Mindy’s? Do you think Mindy made the right choice raising the baby with Jimmy?
9. The Donnelly girls were a big thing in the surfing community (the “Fabulous Donnelly Girls!”), but they never seem to think of themselves as so. Why do you think that is?
10. Melanie Benjamin is known for grounding her novels in historically rich settings, and California Golden is set in the ’60s, a time of significant cultural shifts and events. In what ways do we see the positive cultural changes at play, and what ways do we see the negative?
11. How do you feel about how the story ended? Do you feel the author was trying to leave you with any specific message?