Because its narrative follows the five friends for four decades, Superior Women has much to offer a group or class looking for a highly textured novel with many avenues for access. Since it explores the feminist themes of friendship, work, and sexuality, the novel is a good choice for women's studies classes as well.

1. The emergence of female friendship as a literary theme is very apparent in Superior Women. What is the basis for the different relationships between the women, and what does it say about female friendship?

2. How does Superior Women present the development of a feminist consciousness over the decades? How does the characters' evolution mirror attitudes towards women in these different time periods?

3. Megan Greene and Lavinia Harcourt are natural foils for one another. What do their differences say about human nature and the nature of female identity?

4. How does Adams treat the...