5. Alex’s parents and Lily take an instant dislike to each other. Why do his parents disapprove of her?

6. Lily is not sure about her feelings for Lop Nor the herbalist. Does she feel romantic love for him or is she drawn to his tragic life?

7. Lily must seduce the monk Floating Cloud, but then she finds herself attracted to him. She tricks him so she can steal the treasures from his temple. Do you think her behavior is justified to help her aunt? How do you feel about their relationship?

8. Lily has to tell the blind fortune-teller Soaring Crane nothing but lies. Why?

9. According to the Subtle Purple Calculus fortune-telling described in the novel, everyone’s life is already mapped out the instant he or she is born. Is this the way things work out in the novel? To what extent are the main characters in control of their own destiny?

10. What is the significance of the jade necklace and ivory bracelet? Do you think such objects can affect the person who wears them?

11. Do you like Lily’s Muslim neighbor Keku and her son, Mito? Why?

12. Mindy Madison, Lily’s supposedly mysterious aunt, turns out to be someone else. What do you think about Mindy’s revelations near the end, and what does this say about her fundamental character?

13. Art smuggling is widespread in contemporary China. Art dealers defend themselves as protecting works that might otherwise be destroyed. Do you think removing the art from China is justified?

14. Toward the end of the novel, Chris Adams does something potentially very damaging to Lily. How do you feel about what happens to him as a result?

Copyright

KENSINGTON BOOKS www.kensingtonbooks.com

KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.

119 West 40th Street

New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2011 by Mingmei Yip

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

ISBN: 978-0-7582-6816-7