There's a lot of themes and topics to explore in Sophie Green's new book! We hope these questions jump start your reading group's discussion.
Have you read any other books by Sophie Green? How is Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel similar or different?
'This house is lovely, and it is a trap.' (Chapter One)
In the first chapter, the beauty and wealth of the northern suburbs of Sydney is juxtaposed with a feeling of falseness and constraint. What are some other examples in this book of appearance being different to reality?
Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel is primarily set on the Mornington Peninsula in the late 1990s. Imagine that this novel is taking place in 2024 - how might the story be different? What about if it had been set outside Australia?
Did you find yourself connecting with any one character more than the others? If so, who and why?
'They love each other and each doesn’t want to upset the other yet they are convinced of the rightness of their position.' (Chapter Six)
At the start of the novel, Frances and Alison's mother-daughter relationship is quite strained. Why do you think this is the case? How does their relationship change as the book progresses?
The way the characters get together to paint is similar to a book club meeting to talk about a novel. What do you think it is about creativity and the arts that inspires people to come together?
The Duchess Hotel seems to be a place that brings out our main characters' true selves. Has there ever been a place like that for you?
'You enjoy it, and that makes it good.' (Chapter Sixty-Seven)
Art, and what makes 'good' art, is very subjective. What are some of your favourite works of art? Has this book made you consider art differently?
-
A warm-hearted novel about friendship, fresh starts and finding yourself from Top Ten bestselling author Sophie Green
Latest news
Start Reading No One's Looking
Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!
Hachette Memories of Lost & Found
Brooke Davis' Letter to Booksellers
Alice Oseman is coming to ANZ!
Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Q&A with Penny Sunday
Meet Aussie dark romance author Penny Sunday!
Read an extract from The Wretched Divine
From the bestselling author of Belladonna
.png?w=440&h=247&fit=crop&auto=compress%2cformat&dpr=2)
Ashleigh Barton's Letter to Readers
Ahead of Eighty-Nine Questions for After, Ashleigh shares her thoughts on why sad books are so important for kids.
Read an extract of True Crime
Start reading Patricia Cornwell's thrilling memoir
The Richell Prize Opens 2026
Announcing this year's round of The Richell Prize
Mum's Shelf, Sorted
Happy Mother's Day!
Read an extract from The Chateau on Sunset
Read the new book from bestselling author Natasha Lester
Read an extract from Rat Daniels
Dive into this unforgettable coming-of-age story from a stunning new voice in Australian fiction
Book Club Questions for Margaret, Are You Leaving?
We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this heartfelt novel. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished Margaret, Are You Leaving? – you don’t want to risk ruining any reveals!
Welcome to the World of Donovan Bixley
Entertain the kids at home
Read an Extract from Rebirth: A Love Story From the Depths of War
Antoun Issa powerfully captures his mother's true experiences of love, heartbreak and new hope during the violence of civil war.
Celebrating our CBCA 2026 Notables
The Children's Book Council of Australia's 2026 Notables list has been announced!
Meet J.P. Pomare and Candice Fox on tour across NSW
J.P. Pomare and Candice Fox are teaming up for a scintillating series of events across regional NSW. Hear J.P. discuss his highly charged thriller The Gambler and Candice discuss her addictive new novel Redbelly Crossing.
Natasha Lester On Tour | 2026
Meet bestselling author Natasha Lester as she tours Australia
Book Club Questions for The Gambler
We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this incredible thriller. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished The Gambler – you don’t want to run the risk of ruining any reveals!
J.P. Pomare Book Tour 2026
J.P. Pomare will tour Australia to discuss his highly charged new crime thriller, The Gambler, marking the start of an electrifying new series featuring PI Vince Reid.
Supporting our Adelaide Writers Week authors
A guide to our authors
Read an extract from Good People by Patmeena Sabit
A kaleidoscopic, urgent narrative, told through the chorus of voices surrounding the Sharafs, Good People is a riveting, provocative and unforgettable story of community, family and identity.
Read an extract from Finding Her Edge
A swoony YA sports romance coming soon to Netflix
Read an extract from The Swan's Daughter
Stardust meets Uprooted with a fairytale twist in this standalone fantasy.
Find a book you'll love, get our newsletter
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Hachette Australia, All Rights Reserved · Site by Chook