Book Club Discussion Questions

The author writes really persuasively about accountability for one's community. Has your idea of accountability changed in the recent years with a revolution amidst a pandemic?
The author mentions that ‘90s TV taught him how to be a man, and that some Black actors felt like brothers and role models. Who were your TV role models and why? What does this say about the author’s relationship with adults in his life?
Explain the theme of overcoming obstacles at the different stages of the team members’ lives.
Throughout the book, Arshay Cooper talks about rowing victories and failures, but also about personal victories and failures. Were there moments that especially touched you or that you identified with?
As portrayed in the memoir, how would you describe Arshay Cooper’s relationship with his mother? Was she a good mother? Did she change as a parent over the course of the story? Was Arshay a good son?
What does A Most Beautiful Thing tell us about what it means to be an athlete? Do you think Arshay Cooper’s path to becoming an athlete was typical? How did elements of his background either draw him toward rowing or serve as obstacles in his path?
Although this crew from Manley High School was the first African-American high school rowing team, the first African-American team was actually a college team which originated in the 1960s and 1970s at Howard University. How does this history play into Arshay Cooper’s goal to see a dramatic increase in athletes of color named to the 2028 US Olympic Team?
How is memoir or the art of telling a personal story an act of service to fellow humans?
How does A Most Beautiful Thing help widen our lens to better see the systemic inequities that exist in athletics? In public schools? In cities like Chicago?
Arshay Cooper helps Alvin Ross to recognize he has moved from making a bad choice to a new choice. How often are young people afforded with new choices—albeit “good choices.” And how does race, gender, socioeconomics affect this option even further?

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

In Alice’s prologue, language is a symbol of empowerment and oppression for her family. Her relatives both pride themselves on their ability to speak well and manipulate their speech to avoid social conflict. Are there other instances in the story where language and speech are politicized in a similar way?
Alice, Bobby, and Amelia escape to New York City to start over. Why do you think the author chose New York City? Would any other city work as well for the characters?
Cafe Andres is loosely based on Cafe Nicholson, a historic Manhattan restaurant known for its clientele. Can you think of any other restaurants that you have visited or heard of that are similar?
Cooking is practically a religious experience for Bobby. Why do you think cooking heals his spiritual wounds in such a way that even moving away from home cannot cure? Does Amelia have a similar experience?
In order to assimilate his recipes into the cafe’s menu, Bobby invents what he calls “stealth southern cuisine,” which is a combination of his Southern cooking methods and the cafe’s French-inspired cuisine. What are some other hybrid food genres? Which is your favorite?
After Bobby’s “failed” first dinner with Alice and subsequent promotion, he describes the experience as one where “the universe delivered me a beautiful gift wrapped in hideous packaging.” Does Bobby receive similar gifts at any other point in the novel? Could Bobby’s friendship with Alice after Sebastian’s death be considered such a gift?
Bobby struggles with religion throughout the story and is notably rejected from the Catholic communion. If you were Bobby, how would you have reacted to such a rejection? Is it possible for Bobby to resolve his issues with faith and religion?
In her discussion with Bobby about grief food, Alice says, “Cooking is the one thing that has never failed me.” Is this true for other characters in the novel?
There are many boundaries in the story from racial segregation to religious and sexual orientation differences. What cultural tension is the most harmful in the novel and does it still exist in society today?
Where do you envision the characters are today if they lived in the real world?

All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani

Loretta is drawn to the movies at the age of four when she first appears in one. What compels her to such work? What characteristics make her such a successful actress even well beyond the age when women usually struggled to work in Hollywood, make her “more than the sum total of her beauty”?
“Loretta” is a stage name; her given name is Gretchen. Only those closest to her call her by her given name, and as a public figure, she has somewhat of a double persona. How is her true self different from how she is perceived by the masses?
What might Loretta mean when she thinks that, “it’s in the bubble of vulnerability that chemistry is born”, in respect to her relationship with Clark?
How is each of the men significant to Loretta --- Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, David Nivens --- similar or different? Why are there so few good husbands and fathers among the men of Hollywood?
Loretta says her biggest regret is not marrying Clark Gable. Do you agree or disagree?
The author, Adriana Trigiani, is also a playwright and film/television writer and producer. How might those styles of writing have influenced this novel?
Motherhood plays a significant role in this story. How does Loretta’s relationship with Gladys influence her choices as a mother to Judy? Why do you think Alda never adopted children? Do you think Loretta’s pregnancy and role as a mother herself contributed to Alda’s decision to that end?
Why do you think Alda felt the need to tell Luca about her past, despite Loretta’s advice? Do you think it was presented as a sort of test? Do you find Alda’s outlook on the hypocrisy of the standards of men and women in relationships to be more modern?
The novel begins and ends in modern times in South Bend, Indiana. Why do you think the author wrote the novel in this way? What is Roxanne’s role in the main story that takes place before her time? Overall, how does the past inform the future, and vice versa?
Loretta experiences the making of grappa with Signore Ducci. He says to her, “Grappa is life. Everything in life, whether sweet or bitter, ends up in the glass- a mix of.” How would you apply this metaphor to Loretta’s life, specifically?

Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie

The author is also a screenwriter, best known for the movie Stepmom starring Julia Roberts, who married a producer. Describe how art mimics real life and how personal experiences might add to the story writing process.
Agnes is a mostly normal person who was never comfortable leading a life of luxury. At what point does she become more ruthless? What does this say about her motivations?
Although this story is set in Hollywood, what gives it universal appeal?
Trevor is a big shot producer, but hides behind his lawyers. Name some of the biggest differences between him and Agnes.
Was it truly necessary for Trevor to have someone’s sole job be tasing Agnes? What does this say about the lengths he’s willing to go to make her life miserable?
What is Agnes’s relationship with her own family? How does that play a role in her story and how she handles crises?
How did you feel about the pace of the story? Was it too frantic? Just right?
The author seems to use “stream of consciousness writing” which refers to a narrative technique where the thoughts of the narrator are written out so the reader can track the mental state of the characters. Were you familiar with this style of writing? Did it work for these characters or for the story? Why or why not?
How did you feel about the ending? Did the right characters get justice?
If the author and her husband were to cast this movie, who would play Agnes and Trevor? What genre would the movie be?

Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave

It only took a few clicks for Sunshine’s life to get smeared on the internet. However, her claim to fame was built on a story she invented. Did she deserve it? Why not just tell the truth?
Birthdays tend to be days of celebration. On this particular birthday, Sunshine gets hacked. By the end of the book, does she have anything to celebrate?
Having to move back to her childhood home and face the dysfunctional relationship she has with her sister, does Sunshine redeem herself? Is she a reformed person? Why or why not?
Who did Sunshine owe the biggest apology to? Danny, her husband? Her sister? The fans? Herself?
How do you feel about Danny being revealed as the hacker? Could he have taught her a lesson about losing herself in a different way?
What is there to say about real life versus online personas? Is it okay to sell a story to the public, but live a different life behind closed doors?
Sunshine’s marriage is ruined and her affair comes to light, yet this isn’t a book about love. How does the lack of a romantic plot help or hinder this story?
What would your advice be to Sunshine as she rebuilds her life after the scandal?
What do you think about the author’s writing style? Would you consider this more a beach read (typically contemporary romance) or a dramedy (comedy with dramatic moments)?
What are the biggest themes in this book and which one resonates most with you?

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

What do you think the title means?
What do you think of Lily’s letters to Ellen DeGeneres? Was this an effective literary device to tell Lily and Atlas’s story?
What were your initial thoughts about Ryle? Why do you think Colleen Hoover made the deliberate choice to make him so likable in the beginning?
Ryle suffered from a traumatic accident when he was a child. Does this event excuse his behavior? Did this make you empathize with him?
Lily says, “there is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.” Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
Lily grew up watching her father abuse her mother. How do you think this influenced her future relationships?
Why do you think Lily helped Atlas as children, and then continued to help him after people at school found out?
After Ryle hits her for the first time, Lily says, “all humans make mistakes. What determines a person’s character aren’t the mistakes we make. It’s how we take those mistakes and turn them into lessons rather than excuses.” How do you see Ryle and Lily turning their mistakes into lessons?
Did you find yourself judging Lily’s decisions at any point in the book? What did this story teach you about domestic violence?
Hoover’s parents had an abusive marriage, just like Lily. In an interview, she’s quoted saying that her “…mother filed for divorce when she was three, but she says that she never understood how someone as independent as her mother could have stayed so many years in an abusive relationship.” How do you see the theme of generational trauma throughout It Ends With Us?

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah writes that “the modern world no longer believed in senseless tragedy.” Would a guilty verdict have offered the parents of those killed some solace? Do you think it’s ultimately better to seek justice or to simply forgive in a situation like this one?
After seeing Amber Zuniga for three years, should Julia have been able to forest the events that unfolded? Is it really possible to predict human behavior?
Before the tragedy, Julia was considered to be one of the best psychiatrists in the country. Would you trust Julia with your children after everything that happened?
Was Julia’s mom wrong to tell her thirteen year old daughter secrets of her marriage, especially since she only told her one side of the story? Why do you think her mother told her those things?
With all the milestones that Alice reaches under Julia’s care, why is speech the one that everyone is so focused on? Do people value talking over most other abilities?
The author includes a lot of research in this novel about feral children. How do you think Alice is like a feral child? How is she different?
Julia connects with Alice in a way that is completely unprofessional. Do you think Julia is wrong to try to keep Alice away from George? Is she choosing what’s best for Alice or for Julia herself? George doesn’t have the skills necessary to deal with Alice, perhaps, but he is her father. How important is that in this case?
How would this story have been different if it had been told from George’s point of view?
Did George give up on Alice too easily or was it right for him to realize he couldn’t take care of her in the way she needed to be?
Do you think Alice will be able to grow up and live a normal life?

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

Both of the main characters are attracted to fossil hunting, although it is not a “ladylike pursuit” at this time in history. How does the motivation differ for Mary and for Elizabeth as a result of their status in society?
How would you describe Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship: mother/daughter, sisters, or something else? Were you surprised by their friendship?
Who would you say had more freedom to do what they wanted, Mary or Elizabeth?
Why do you think the author made the women the fossil hunters and the men just fossil collectors? Did you think that it was unfair that society had such restrictions on scientific discoveries and papers by only allowing men in this realm?
Did you like the switch in character voices in the chapters? Was this helpful in understanding the motives and behaviors that society imposed on the women that predisposed them to act accordingly?
At different points in the novel, both Mary and Elizabeth have reason to think they themselves might become fossils. What did each woman mean by that?
How does Colonel Birch come between the ladies? What do you think his motives were?
Why does Elizabeth undertake the journey to London? Do you think Mary was surprised that Elizabeth undertook the journey on her behalf?
Learning of Elizabeth’s illness, Mary’s insightful thoughts show the depth of her despair; “It seemed whenever I found something, I lost something else.” What do you think she meant by this?
The last chapter entitled, “Silent Together” gives further insight into Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship. What is your opinion on the ending of this book?

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

Female friendship is a constant theme throughout The Alice Network. Charlie St. Clair and Eve Gardiner begin as antagonists, whereas Eve and Louise de Bettignies (Lili) are friends from the start. How does each friendship grow and change over the course of events?
The young Eve introduced in 1915 is very different from the older Eve seen through Charlie’s eyes in 1947. How and when did the young Eve begin to change into her older self? What was the catalyst of those changes?
Lili tells Eve “To tell the truth, much of this special work we do is quite boring.” Did the realities of spywork surprise you, compared to the more glamorous version presented by Hollywood? How do you think you would have fared, working for the Alice Network?
Rene Bordelon is denigrated by his peers as a war profiteer and an informer. He sees himself as a practical businessman. Did you see him as a villain or an opportunist? Do you think he earned his final fate?
Eve loves Captain Cameron and hates Rene Bordelon - but her relationship with Rene is longer, darker, and more emotional. How is her hatred for him complicated by intimacy? How does his realization of Eve’s true identity change him?
Finn Kilgore and Captain Cameron are parallels for each other: both Scotsmen and soldiers with war wounds and prison terms in their pasts, acting as support for the women they love. How are the two different as well as alike? How does Finn succeed where Cameron fails?
Rose’s disappearance provides the story’s driving search. Did her eventual fate surprise you and how did it change the goal of the search?
Everyone in The Alice Network suffers from some form of emotional damage from war. How do they cope with their war wounds? How do they help each other heal? How is PTSD handled in Eve’s day as compared to Charlie’s day - and as compared to now?
Charlie dreads the stigma of being a “bad girl” pregnant out of wedlock, and Eve fears shame and dismissal as a horizontale if it is learned she slept with a source of information. Discuss the sexual double-standards each woman faced.
Charlie argues that Rene should be brought to legal justice, and Eve argues for vigilante justice. Who do you think is right? How did it affect the ending?

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

A major theme of The Four Winds is obtaining the American Dream whether it’s through the financial independence of owning a farm or traveling to California in search of a better life. Do you think the American Dream is myth or reality?
Was Elsa’s life defined by the cultural expectations for unmarried women? How do you think her failure to meet these expectations affected her?
The stories of women have gone largely undocumented throughout history. Why do you think they’ve gone unreported for so long? Do you think sharing stories will make a difference in future generations?
Expectations for young women were sharply defined. How is Elsa shaped by these expectations and her failure to meet them? Do you think societal mores were designed to keep women “in their place”?
In 1920s America, there was significant prejudice against Italians. What does Rafe represent to Elsa on the night they meet? Is it strictly physical or is there emotion involved?
Flash forward to 1934, the farm is experiencing severe drought. Both Rafe and their daughter Loreda are dreamers and believe there’s more to life than just the farm. How are their perspectives similar or different from Elsa’s?
The adolescent years can be especially difficult on mothers and daughters. Did you dislike Loreda during these years? Did you understand her?
What did it take for Loreda to finally understand her mother and why she made the decisions she did?
Why does the Martinelli family stay under such brutal conditions - heat, dust storms, lack of food, dying livestock? Does it reveal anything about the grit that fills their bodies?
After moving to California, Elsa falls for Jack. How does Elsa’s relationship with someone new change her? How was this relationship different from her relationship with Rafe?

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

How do you think Emmett, Duchess, Woolly, and Sally’s various upbringings – particularly their relationships to their parents – have shaped them? How have their parents’ choices influenced their own desires and ambitions?
Early in the novel, Emmett meets Sister Agnes, a nun who describes the faith of children, who look up a miracle “with awe and wonder, yes, but without disbelief.” How would you describe Billy’s personality? While he is the youngest and least experienced character in the novel, one could argue that he has the greatest influence on other characters. What is it about Billy that makes this so?
The novel takes place in the mid-1950s – a period of peace, prosperity, and upward mobility in the US; a period of television, the advents of rock & roll, the modern civil rights movement, and the “sexual revolution”. How does the era shape the journeys of the characters, if at all? What aspects of their journeys are unique to their times, and what aspects were shared by you when you were on the verge of adulthood?
Discuss the broader themes in the novel of moral accounting: of debt and recompense, transgression and atonement, sin and redemption.
The City of New York is a thousand cities rolled into one. How does New York differ in the eyes of Emmett, Duchess, Woolly, and Billy?
What about this novel strikes you as particularly American? What does self-reliance mean to Emmett, to Duchess, and to Sally?
How would you describe each main character’s transformation over the course of the novel? Which character do you think evolves most significantly? Which characters, in your opinion, found what they were looking for? Do you have a favorite character, and why?
The Lincoln Highway takes place over just ten days. How does the span of time affect the narrative and your experience with it? What are the benefits and limitations that come with reading a novel spanning days rather than years?
What virtue do you think each of the main characters possess in excess?
Given inflation, $50,000 would be the equivalent of about $500,000 today. What would you do if you were suddenly given half a million dollars?

The Little French Bistro by Nina George

What parts of the novel affected you most personally - Marianne’s journey in a foreign country without knowledge of the language, her loneliness in her marriage, or something else?
Did you identify with any of the characters? Which one was your favorite?
What did you think about Jean-Remy writing letters to Laurine?
Food, music, and friendship were the essential ingredients that helped Marianne reclaim her life. What things do you need to feel entirely, truly and deeply alive?
What most surprised you in The Little French Bistro? What would you have done differently if you were writing the story?
Most often, we cannot change our lives overnight with a single decision. Instead, it takes small steps. What steps did Marianne take that you were surprised by? Were there other paths you would have liked to see Marianne take?
It is said that books have the power to heal. Do you feel that The Little French Bistro gave you a new perspective or understanding of another culture?
Marianne’s thoughts at the end of the book reflect on her life with Lothar. “Was life so accidental in its possibilities? Or did it come down to seizing them?... Does love have to be earned through suffering? Lothar Messmann, you’re not my home.” What do you think she was saying?
Why do you think Marianne embraced the culture in Ar Mor? Were you surprised to see her character emerge to experience so many repressed areas she could not touch before?
If you had to start over somewhere new, where would you go and why?

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

What did you think about Nella’s choice to start offering poison to women to kill the men who have wronged them?
Were you familiar with mudlarking (scavenging in river mud for items of value) prior to reading this novel? Would you ever try it out?
The story features two timelines—one follows Nella and Eliza in eighteenth century London, while the other follows Caroline in present day London. Do you like the dual timeline format? How did it help slowly reveal the mystery?
Caroline planned a big trip to London to celebrate her 10th anniversary. But she finds out her husband had an affair right before the trip. So she leaves behind home to take the trip herself. What would you have done if you were Caroline?
Nella and Eliza develop an unlikely friendship. Why did the two of them have such a strong bond?
While Nella doesn’t flinch to make poisons that will be delivered to men, she initially declines making one that is targeted for a woman. Why do you think Nella drew the line at making poisons that would kill women?
Caroline sidelined her own career plans when she got swept up in marriage and trying for a baby. But after her husband cheats, she begins to see that she sidelined her own goals for a more comfortable life. How did coming to London and investigating the apothecary help give her direction?
Despite her husband James coming to London and making a bit of a dramatic act to win her back, Caroline realizes they need a separation. Do you think their marriage is done for good?
Were you surprised when it turned out that Eliza lived? Do you think the author was trying to say magic was involved or was it pure luck that she survived?
What did you think about the ending? What happens next for Caroline?

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

How did Margot change throughout the different stages of her life? What were some of the events that shaped her?
How did Lenni’s home life affect her? What is her relationship with her parents?
What do you think drew Margot and Lenni to each other? Were they meant to cross paths?
Why might Humphrey have pretended not to know Margot when he was in the care home?
Lenni visits the chapel despite being unsure of her religious beliefs. Why do you think that is? How does this shape her relationship with Father Arthur?
Why does Lenni struggle to make friends her own age? Have you found it difficult to connect with people your own age?
If you could be friends with any character in this book, who would it be and why?
What do you think happens to Margot at the end? Does she make it to Vietnam to see Meena?
How does knowing both main characters are terminally ill change the way the reader interacts with the story? How would the story be different if only one of the main characters was terminally ill?
If you were to paint memories from your life, which moment would you paint first and why?

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Why did the majority of people in France refuse to help the Jews during World World II?
In the beginning of the novel, Lucien didn’t care about what happened to the Jews. Discuss how his character evolved throughout the novel. Did your opinion of him change?
The Germans were disgusted that the French always informed on one another during the Occupation. Would you assume that this is a common war practice? Why? In what ways does war bring out the best and worst in people?
Many spouses abandoned each other because one was Jewish. What did you think when Juliette Trenet’s husband left her? Is there any defense for what he did?
One reason Lucien helped Jews was to get architectural commissions from Manet. Did you agree with the French Resistance? Did Lucien’s love of design and the need to prove his talent cross the line into collaboration with the enemy?
Most fiction and films portray Nazis as monsters during World War II. Do you believe that some German military men secretly hated or doubted what they were doing? Does following the crowd make these men just as bad as those who carried out their duties without conscience?
Discuss the unusual relationship between Lucien and Herzog. Can two men from warring countries truly be friends?
Lucien was already taking an enormous risk by hiding Jews for Manet. Why do you think he agrees to take in Pierre?
If you were a Gentile living under the Nazis in World War II, do you think you would have had the courage to hide Jews? What consequences are you willing to face to help others?
Suppose you had been taken from your apartment by Captain Bruckner and lined up in the street. If you knew your life was about to end, what would you be thinking about?

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve

This epigraph is a quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “Doubt thou the stars are fire;/ Doubt thou the sun doth move;/ Doubt truth to be a liar;/ But never doubt I love.” What does it mean? What does it have to do with the novel it introduces?
“Containerize, her own mother once told Grace, as if imparting the secret of sanity. Her mother meant children as well as dry goods.” In what ways does Grace follow this advice? When does she disregard it?
Grace intends to seduce Gene, but the results are degrading and painful. If the novel were set in the present day, might this be a means for legal action? How are marital disputes viewed differently from in the 1940s?
Discuss Grace’s relationship with Rosie. Why is this friendship so important to Grace? What hole does Rosie fill in Grace’s life?
After the fire and losing her baby, Grace believes Gene used the chaos as a means to leave the family. What makes her think this?
What do you think would have happened to Grace and the children if Marjorie hadn’t found them?
Why do Matthew and Joan take in Grace and the children? How does their action help her to heal?
Why do you think Merle hid her jewelry where she did? What would have happened to Grace and the children if Grace hadn’t found the jewelry?
The novel ends on a serendipitous note. Did you find it satisfying?
What advice would you give Grace that would have helped her on this journey?

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

When Odie and Albert attempt to buy boots, the clerk is skeptical that they would be able to afford the $5 price tag. After Odie lies about getting the money from their father, a second clerk remarks, “If he got a job these days, he’s one of the lucky ones.” This is Odie and Albert’s first experience of life outside of the Lincoln School. What sense of the current state of the world do you get from this encounter?
When Odie is working for Jack in his orchard, Jack explains his religious philosophy, saying, “God all penned up under a roof? I don’t think so.” Where does Jack think God is really to be found? What is it in Odie’s experience that makes him disagree with Jack’s outlook?
The vagabonds encounter a Native American man named Forrest. He appears friendly, but he’s also aware that there is a $500 reward for their capture. The children are unsure whether to trust him or not. What would you do in their situation?
Why does Odie trust Sister Eve so wholeheartedly, but not her partner, Sid? How do some of Odie’s misjudgments lead to disastrous consequences?
When Odie is on his own, riding the rails, trying to get to St. Louis, he comes face to face with danger and violence. Do you think he was foolish for striking out alone? How was this encounter different from the things he experienced at Lincoln School?
Odie is a born storyteller even at his young age. Throughout the book he tells Albert, Emmy, and Mose tales about an imp, a princess, and the vagabonds. What purpose do these stories serve in the novel?
Sister Eve says to Odie that the only prayer she knows will absolutely be answered is a prayer for forgiveness. What do you think she means by this? Who are the people whom Odie needs to forgive, and for what reasons?
Odie, Albert, Mose, and Emmy are all searching for peace and a place to call home. What do you think each character is looking for and what are their different definitions of home? In the end, do they all find what they are looking for, and if so how?
The author has said that he drew inspiration from the works of Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Homer. Are there other authors whose work this story calls to mind?
The novel is divided into five parts. Why do you think the author structured it this way?

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

The North Carolina marsh where Kya lives has long been a sanctuary for outsiders. How does this setting shape the novel? How does growing up in this isolation affect Kya?
Why do you think Kya’s mother leaves in the beginning? Do you agree with her decision?
How realistic is Kya’s upbringing in the marsh? Do you believe she really could have made it out there on her own?
Why does Kya choose not to go back to school? Do you think she makes the wrong decision? How does Kya’s lack of formal education shape her vision of the world? Would her character be different if she had gone to school?
Tate’s father tells him that poems are important because “they make ya feel something.” What does poetry mean to Tate? What does it mean to Kya?
Kya learns about human nature and how to relate to other people mostly through observing animals. Most notably, Kya observes female fireflies changing their flashes to communicate different things. How does this observation affect Kya’s relationship with others?
Is Chase a different kind of man than Tate? How are they different? Is one man better? Do you think that their differences are biological or learned? How does Kya see each man?
Discuss how Kya’s observations of nature shape her vision of the world. Do you think these lessons adequately prepare for life in Barkley Cove? Do you think human society follows the same rules as the natural world? Should it? Why or why not?
At the end of the novel, Kya thinks “most of what she knew, she’d learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would.” What does she mean? Do you agree with her philosophy? What do you think it means to be a good person?
Were you surprised by the verdict in Chase’s murder trial? What about by the end of the novel? Do you agree with Tate’s final decision? Why or why not?

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Why do you think Catherine married Edmund? Do you believe she actually loved him? What are the arguments for and against this?
Heathcliff’s love for Catherine has been debated for centuries. Do you think his love was pure or selfish? What about Catherine’s love for Heathcliff? Is this a tale of two star-crossed lovers or a tale of two heartless fools?
Characterize Nelly Dean. Consider her reliability as a narrator, her role as a participant in the novel, and the reason that Bronte chose her as a narrator of events in the novel.
Catherine is pained by Hindley's punishment of Heathcliff, yet she continues to entertain her guests. What change does this reveal?
Discuss the realistic, romantic, and gothic elements of the novel and how they contribute to the reader’s understanding of the novel.
Considering the motives and desires of these two characters, would you argue that the novel seems to be Catherine’s story or Heathcliff’s story or would you argue that the novel has two protagonists? Explain.
Identify the significance of windows in Wuthering Heights. During what events do windows appear in the plot, and what do they seem to symbolize?
Why does Linton help Cathy escape to see her father? After Linton dies, what is left for Cathy?
How is the bitterness and hatred in the story finally overcome?
Heathcliff was treated poorly and unfairly at the beginning of the book. He sets out to avenge himself and returns a gentleman, but begins a path to retribution that he eventually recognizes as futile. In the end, his efforts bring him no comfort and he is still haunted by Catherine’s memory. Did you feel sorry for Heathcliff or did he get what he deserved for the evil he inflicted?