The Witches of Cambridge Book Club Questions
10 discussion questions for The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman.
October 18, 2026
Spoiler warning: some questions touch on how the book ends. Best read after you've finished it.
Discussion questions
- How does Ava's background from a small town in Maine influence her initial perceptions of Radcliffe and the Lilith Society?
- What do you think draws Lauren to the Lilith Society despite her wealthy and well-established background?
- Discuss the significance of the Lilith Society in the context of the book's setting during the 1950s. How does it reflect or challenge the societal norms of the time?
- Was Ava right to trust Lauren as much as she did, given their differences and the secrets within the Lilith Society?
- How do the witch trials of the past echo in the events happening at Radcliffe College, particularly with the girls from the Lilith Society going missing?
- In what ways does the looming threat of McCarthyism affect the characters’ actions and decisions, particularly Ava and Lauren?
- Do you think the bond between Ava and Lauren would have been as strong if not for their shared experiences within the Lilith Society? Why or why not?
- How does the author use the setting of Cambridge and Radcliffe College to enhance the story's themes of power, secrecy, and rebellion?
- Reflect on a time in your life when you were part of a close-knit group that faced external pressures. How did that experience shape your understanding of friendship and loyalty?
- Do you find the ending of the book satisfying in terms of resolving the mystery of the missing girls and the future of the Lilith Society? Why or why not?
These questions were drafted with AI help for book clubs using Lapwing.
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