Hedge

What was your first impression of Maud when you started Hedge? What intrigued you about her?

Why do you think Maud was so drawn to historic gardening? How did gardening help her cope with all that was happening with her family?

What was it about Gabriel that drew Maud to him? Do you think their relationship would have lasted if their summer had turned out differently?

Peter is regularly insistent that their separation is a “trial separation” even though Maud was ready for a divorce. Why do you think their expectations  for their marriage were so different? How did their differing opinions impact Ella and Louise?

Starting on page 87, Maud believes that Ella is flirting with Gabriel and otherwise “acting strange.” How did Ella’s behavior change?

Ella's disappearance and subsequent reaction to Gabriel when she’s found leads Maud and Peter to believe that something horrifying happened between Ella and Gabriel. Did their reactions seem reasonable to you? How would you have responded in a similar situation?

At the beginning of Chapter 10, the reader finds Maud working at The Presidio, still married to Peter, and supporting Ella through her recovery. How do you think Maud changed after the events at Montgomery Place? How did her family change?

How do Ella’s revelations about her self-harm and mental health shift Maud and Peter’s marriage? Going back, do you notice any subtle hints from the author regarding Ella’s struggles?

On page 158, the reader learns that Maud has kept secret what happened between her and Gabriel from Peter. How do you feel about this decision? How do you think this impacts her family?

When Maud first meets Alice Lincoln (page 167), Alice is abrupt and almost seems bored with Maud. By page 195, Alice has invited Maud to her home for some gardening advice, and they become friends. Did you anticipate this relationship? How is this relationship different from Maud’s relationship with Gabriel? How is it similar?

On page 230, Ella has a relapse. In the midst of caring for Ella, Maud discovers that Louise has also been struggling. Did you notice Louise struggling? Did the author leave any hints as to Louise’s wellbeing?

On page 243, while she is hiking with Alice, Maud thinks, “I’m madly in love with my children. But why can’t I have more than one mad love?” Do you think people can have more than one mad love? What do you think Maud is referring to here—her work, or a partner other than Peter? Or both? How has the idea of having more than one mad love existed in other parts of the book?

In Chapter 19, Alice’s partner, Gloria, arrives at Maud’s home to confront Maud, and it leads to Ella finally admitting that she saw Maud and Gabriel’s clandestine encounter that summer at Montgomery Place. Do you think Gloria was right to confront Maud? Why do you think that moment led to Ella’s confession? Did you anticipate that Ella’s confession was coming? Why or why not?

Ella’s confession about seeing Maud and Gabriel together leads to the end of Maud’s marriage, something she has wanted from the beginning of the book, but not at all in the way she expected. Why do you think it was that moment that finally ended Maud and Peter’s marriage? Did you expect that Maud and Peter would eventually get divorced? How does this reveal and ultimate divorce differ from Maud’s ideal scenario?

After Maud and Peter start talking about their divorce, Maud goes to see Gabriel in Las Vegas. Do you think this closure was important for both Maud and Gabriel? Why or why not? How do you think seeing him helped Maud move forward?

How has Maud changed throughout the book? What kind of impact did her different workplaces have on her? What kind of impact did the people she meet there have on her?

How is Ella different at the end of Hedge? What do you think Maud and Peter learned about parenting from this experience?

What did you learn about womanhood and motherhood from this book? How did Hedge make you think differently about your own mother? About yourself?