1
2
3 4
5
Though The King of Infinite Space is primarily a contemporary retelling of Hamlet, author Lyndsay Faye also infuses other elements of Shakespeare’s canon. Did you pick up on any other references or parallels? How has Faye altered the characters, and what do you think of these changes? Benjamin Dane’s mind “operates as part philosopher, part scientist, and part torture device.” As readers, we are privy to the complex inner workings of Ben’s mind. What did you make of his perspective and the ways that Faye experiments with style and form to depict his interiority? Discuss the dynamics among Horatio, Ben, and Lia. What is their history as a group, and how have their relationships changed over time? What did you make of the budding romance between Horatio and Ben? How do botany, the language of flowers, and the magical shop play a role in the story? Discuss Lia’s perspective, particularly her relationship with the Weird Sisters and how her distanced narrative arc ends up converging with the larger plot as we near the conclusion of the novel. What is the relevance of the scarf that is referenced throughout?
The King of Infinite Space is set in and around the theater world in New York City. How does this setting impact the tenor of the book? Discuss the history of the Old World and New World’s Stage, and how its mysterious burning is tied up in the central conflict of the story.
6
7 8 9 10
At the beginning of the novel, it is apparent that Ben’s father is dead, presumably by overdose. What do we eventually learn about the circumstances around his passing? Discuss how Faye inserts a murder mystery into this story, and why it becomes pivotal to learn the truth of Jackson Dane’s death. At one point, Ben says, “Time . . . You can’t hide from it. There’s no hiding from anything, and especially not endings.” To what extent does this sentiment prove true for the characters? How does Ben think of time and space in a metaphysical sense? What is Robin’s role in this story? What did you make of his character, and how is his entropic nature revealed throughout? Much of the narrative leads up to the New World’s Stage gala. Why is it an important event, and what are each character’s motivations ahead of that night? Discuss what ends up happening and how Faye brings all the various plot threads together. How did you react to the novel’s ending? What surprised you?
“ROSEMARY: FOR REMEMBRANCE, AND WOVEN INTO SACRED GARLANDS BY THE ANCIENT GREEKS TO BRING MENTAL CLARITY.”
BOURBON ROSEMARY PUNCH S E R V E S A P P R O X I M AT E LY 1 6
INGREDIENTS
STEPS
3 cups rosemary-infused Aperol*
Combine the rosemary-infused Aperol, bourbon, honey syrup and grapefruit juice in a punch bowl and add large ice cubes.
12 oz bourbon 6 oz honey syrup 6 oz grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed 3 cups dry sparkling wine, to top 3 cups soda water, to top Garnish: 16 grapefruit wheels Garnish: 16 rosemary sprigs
For each serving, ladle 3 oz of punch into a punch glass filled with ice cubes. Top with a splash of sparkling wine and a splash of soda water. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel and a rosemary sprig. *Rosemary-infused Aperol: Place 4 sprigs of rosemary in a 750 ML (3 cups) bottle of Aperol and let sit for 6 hours at room temperature, then strain out the herbs. Recipe from Liquor.com
“LAVENDER ROSÉ: INFATUATION, MYSTERY, THE UNATTAINABLE.”
LAVENDER ROSÉ ROYALE COCKTAIL SERVES 1
INGREDIENTS
STEPS
¹⁄3 cup sugar
In a small saucepan over mediumhigh heat, bring the sugar, water and lavender extract to a boil.
1⁄3 cup water 1 tsp lavender extract 2 oz rosé ¹⁄2 oz fresh grapefruit juice ¹⁄2 oz lavender simple syrup 1 egg white 3 oz champagne Garnish: lavender buds
Once sugar is dissolved, remove from the heat and chill completely before using in the cocktail. Add the rosé, grapefruit juice, lavender simple syrup and egg white to a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. Pour the cocktail into a coupe glass and top with champagne. Garnish with lavender buds and serve. Recipe from Cakenknife.com/ lavender-rose-royale-cocktail/