The Book of Night Women

Explore the Biblical references in the novel. Why does the author include these? How does slavery operate in the world of Christianity?

In what ways does Lilith fulfill the prophecy to move in a circle? In what ways does she break out of this cycle?

Discuss James’s inclusion of the vivid physical, verbal, and sexual abuse that enslavers inflicted upon the people they enslaved. What impact do these descriptions have?

Explore the significance of names, specifically those forced upon enslaved people. How do relate to the fate of each character? How do they both represent and subvert the concept of white supremacy?

How does Lilith’s identity reflect her inner conflict throughout the novel? How does her relationship to whiteness affect her feelings toward the night women?

In the end, what did the night woman mean to Lilith? What purpose did she serve?

Explore Lilith’s relationship to sexuality. How does her experience complicate notions of love, autonomy, and consent? How does her relationship to sex change throughout the novel?

Why do you think James wrote the novel from Lilith’s daughter’s perspective? What depth does this add to the story? How does it relate to the themes of the book?