1. Is Gabrielle really an accidental santera and would she describe herself that way
by the end of the novel?

2. What do you see as Gabrielle’s motivation for telling her story?

3. How does Gabrielle’s longing for acceptance play out among her relatives and
with her colleagues?

4. How does the science vs. religion debate play out in Gabrielle’s daily life? In her
ultimate decision to become a santera? In your own life? In the world today?

5. What role does Gabrielle’s identity as a Latina scientist play in her relationships
with her husband Benito, her best friend Patri and her extended family?

6. Give examples of how Gabrielle is guilty of making assumptions, something she
points out is a no-no for scientists. Did The Accidental Santera challenge any of
your own assumptions?

7. What do you think Gabrielle’s mantra “Forget what you know” really means to
her?

8. How do Gabrielle and Patri handle being Latina scientists differently?

9. Gabrielle says people sometimes have to be pushed to the edge in order to take a
leap of faith. What are the things that put her on that edge, both the ones she
identifies and ones which she herself may not have been aware? Do you have any
experiences with taking a leap of faith? If so, did it involve that proverbial edge?

10. Gabrielle learns through her student, Lila, that other cultures practice ancestor
worship. What other practices in your family or in other world religions are
similar to the ones described in The Accidental Santera.

11. This novel is about one woman’s spiritual journey, but does Gabrielle find
religion or re-discover her true spiritual nature?

12. Do you think science and religion are mutually exclusive?