The Only Woman in the Room

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your initial thoughts on Hedy Lamarr’s character as portrayed in the book, particularly regarding her transformation from an actress to an inventor and her struggles in between? Did her journey resonate with you in an expected or unexpected way?
• Which aspects of Hedy’s story—whether her early marriage, her Hollywood experiences, or her attempts at inventing—left the deepest emotional impact on you? What emotions did this part of the narrative stir, and why?
• How does The Only Woman in the Room compare to other novels about historical female figures overcoming personal and societal obstacles? Are there similarities or differences in the way Marie Benedict portrays resilience and ingenuity?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Hedy often masks her true self to meet society’s expectations, whether as a wife, actress, or inventor. Can you relate to the feeling of having to wear a “mask” to fit into certain environments? How has that affected your sense of self or your relationships?
• Hedy’s guilt over her relative safety in America versus the dangers facing Jewish people in Austria is a recurring source of inner conflict.