6.  Examine the parallels between the two main men that have romantic roles in Sherri’s life: Mitch and Arthur. What expectations did she have for her relationships with both of them? And what did the men ultimately mean to her? What happens when Sherri stops mythologizing both of them in her mind?

7.  Time is a prevalent theme in the novel. What are some ways that the importance of time manifests in the novel? What are some other themes you picked up on as you were reading?

8.  Examine Raylee’s role in the novel. In what ways does her life parallel Sherri’s? How do you view Sherri’s relationship

9.  How is the life of a Bunny depicted in the novel different from what we assume about Bunnies?

10.  Gloria Steinem went undercover as a Bunny and famously wrote, “All women are Bunnies. But it doesn’t need to be that way.” What did she mean by that? Sherri’s friend Jeanne accuses Sherri of setting women back, but Sherri doesn’t see other opportunities available to her for advancement and empowerment. Did Sherri set women back by putting on the Bunny costume? In what ways was she empowered or belittled by becoming objectified, by both men and other women?

11.  Discuss the scene where Jerry saves the turtle on the side of the road. What is the significance of this moment? How does this impact what we believe we know about Jerry’s character?

12.  In chapter 18, Sherri acknowledges that she is haunted by what Arthur said to her: that she needed to focus on becoming rather than being. How do you think that statement affects Sherri’s decisions after Arthur tells her that? What are some other ways that Sherri is haunted by her relationship with Arthur?

13.  Examine the following line in chapter 24: “Perhaps she should have given her younger self more credit for her intuition.” Have there been moments throughout your life when you didn’t trust your intuition? What lessons did you learn from those situations? Were any of them similar to Sherri’s experiences?

14.  How did the ending of the novel make you feel? What do you think the future holds for Sherri?

Sexual Politics and Female Power: Stories from the Playboy Bunny Resort

Christina Clancy, written for Literary Hub

I wish I could tell my younger self, the college student taking women’s studies classes and attending Take Back the Night marches, that in middle age I’d become the unlikely defeder of Playboy Bunnies.