At Doreen's November 2014

Wildflower Hill - discussion questions

QUESTIONS:

1. Which story did you enjoy reading more, Emma’s or Beattie’s? How did you relate to both of them?

2. Early in the novel, Beattie’s friend Cora tells her: “There are two types of women in the world, Beattie, those who do things and those who have things done to them” (p. 31). How does Beattie adopt this motto throughout her life? Does Emma live by the same credo? Do you agree with Cora’s theory about women? 

3. How did you feel when Margaret went behind Beattie’s back to let Henry see Lucy? How do you feel about Mary, Henry, and Molly’s determination to “keep Lucy away from sin”? Is this just a selfish excuse to keep Lucy away from Beattie?

4. Discuss how religion is treated in the novel. Being a good Christian is emphasized by characters such as Mary, Henry, and Molly, but Lucy feels closer to God when she prays privately, and Beattie seems to feel more in tune with the land. Talk about each character’s concept of God and “good vs. evil.”

5. Beattie remarks that it doesn’t matter how she earns money, as long as she can feed her child: “Children can’t eat morals” (p. 135). Do you agree? Do you think Beattie did the right thing working for Raphael and serving drinks illegally? 

6. Discuss the poker game that leads to Beattie’s ownership of Wildflower Hill. Why does Beattie come up with such a risky proposal? Why does Raphael agree to it?

7. Beattie often blames herself for letting Lucy be taken away. Did she do the right thing by relinquishing more and more control to Henry? Should she have filed for sole custody? What is more important, for a child to have contact with both of her parents or to be raised in the most stable, “proper” way possible?

8. Compare and contrast Beattie’s relationships—with Henry, Charlie, and Ray. Do you think Beattie should have told Ray about her former relationships? How do you think he would have reacted?

9. Why do you think Beattie kept every record from her past at Wildflower Hill? Was it as Emma muses, that she was clinging to every scrap, or do you have a different theory?

10. How does Emma’s sense of identity, priorities, and relationships change throughout the novel? What event impacts her the most?

11. Discuss Mina’s father’s reluctance to see Mina perform. Do you understand his embarrassment? Why does Patrick refuse to get involved?

12. Emma decides to finally visit Lucy and deliver her grandmother’s letter, even though her grandmother never intended to send it. How do you think Lucy will receive her? What do you envision happening after the close of the novel? 

At Kathy's

'Me Before You' -discussion questions

If you were Louisa, would you have quit working for the Traynors? If yes, at what point?

2. Were you able to relate to the way Will felt after his accident? What about his outlook on life did you find most difficult to understand or accept?

3. Discuss the meaning of the novel’s title. To whom do the “me” and “you” refer?

4. Louisa often finds Mrs. Traynor cold and judgmental. Is there an appropriate way to behave in Mrs. Traynor’s situation?

5. What is your opinion of Mr. Traynor? Did it change after you read his side of the story?

6. Why is Louisa able to reach Will when so many others could not?

7. Were you as surprised as Lou to learn of Will’s plans?

8. Compare Louisa’s relationship with Treena to Will’s relationship with Georgina. Do siblings know one another any better simply because they are related?

9. Would Patrick have asked Louisa to move in with him if he hadn’t felt threatened by Will? If Louisa had never accepted her job with the Traynors, where would her relationship with Patrick have gone?

10. Discuss Louisa’s own secret ties to the castle. Would most girls in her situation have blamed themselves? Should Treena have behaved differently in the aftermath?

11. What did you make of the way Lou’s mother, Josie, judges Lou’s decisions regarding Will. Is Josie’s reaction fair?

12. Before his accident, Will was a philanderer and a corporate raider who would probably never have given Louisa a second look. Why is it that people are so often unable to see what’s truly important until they’ve experienced loss?

(Questions issued by publisher.)

At Joanna's September 2014

Agent Zigzag- discussion questions by LitLovers

1. What kind of character traits make for a good spy—and how does Eddie Chapman reflect those traits? Is he typical of other successful spies you might have read about previously? Are the qualities it takes to become a spy present in your make-up?

2. Follow-up to Question #1: What in Chapman's character, if anything, would you say is admirable? One reviewer has commented that "there is something about a democracy that makes a spy untrustworthy to the public and unworthy of its respect.... Chapman was no exception." Do you agree...or disagree? Where does the author come down on this question? Does he attempt to convince readers, one way or another? Or does he let you make your own determination?

3. How does did Chapman convince the Nazis to use him as their spy—what enables him to convince them? Same with the British—how does he persuade the Allies to use him as a double agent?

4. What have you learned about how the secret intelligence services operated during World War II—both the Abwehr and MI5? What do you find most interesting...or disturbing? Same questions regarding the techniques used to train spies.

5. Talk about the relationship between spies and their "handlers." How would you describe Ryde and his handling of Chapman? Does Ryde run Chapman...or the other way around? Also, what role does class play in the relationship of spies to handlers?

6. Should agents' lives be considered expendable—or promises negotiable—in the overwhelming necessity of winning a war?

7. Talk about the dangers Chapman faced in Germany. How vulnerable was his position as a spy?

8. We rightfully herald the heroism of armed forces in World War II. Yet the story of intelligence gathering and analysis remained untold for years. (The story of the Ultra secret, for instance, wasn't written about till the 1970s.) Discuss role of intelligence operations—including code-breaking as well as spying—in the Allies' ultimate success? Would the war have been won in 1945 without their efforts?

9. Follow-up to Question #8: Overall, how vital was Chapman's role to the Allied victory? Did his work make a critical difference?

10. What in this story do you find humorous? The episode, for instance of Bobby the Pig? Any others? What about the hapless German agents in Britain? Were Nazi spies truly bunglers?

11. Chapman was dead by the time Macintyre wrote his book. Having read Agent ZigZag, do you feel you have a fairly complete picture? Or are there still unanswered questions—more you would like to know?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online of off, with attribution. Thanks.)

At Doreen's June 2014

At Joanna's in May

Clammed Up - discussion questions

1. Did you like the book? Why? Or Why not?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. What did you think of Julia’s crush on Chris Durand?
4. Were the characters believable?
5. Did you expect the ending?
6. After reading this book did you feel like going to Maine on vacation? Or at least eating Lobster Mac Cheese?

An Officer and A Spy - discussion topics from Litlovers

1. Describe the Paris of the late 19th century, with its demimonde decadence, pugnacious press, and political enmities. How well does Harris do in bring the ambience of the city to life? Are there any parallels to our current time?

2. What is the effect of France's loss of Alsace and Lorraine to the Germans? How does that set the stage for the events that occur in the novel?

3. Talk about France's anti-Semitism. How deeply does it run permeate the culture and why?

4. What made Dreyfus such a satisfying target for the French public? What does Picquart mean when he reflects, after the Dreyfus's conviction, that it is "as if all the loathing and recrimination bottled up since the defeat of 1870 has found an outlet in a single individual"?

5. Why does the military stonewall Picquart's later finding of Dreyfus's innocence? Why is is so difficult for institutions to admit to wrong doing or mistakes?

6. General Gonse asks an interesting question of Picquart: "I know your views on the Chosen Race—really, when all is said and done, what does it matter to you if one Jew stays on Devil's Island?" Exactly, Does it matter...in the larger scope of events? Why or why not?

7. What happens when institutions place their own survival above all else? Does this occur today? Do we have institutions in government, business, religion, education that are concerned with their own preservation at the expense of their integrity—that place their continued existence over what is morally right?

8. History is rife with "cover-ups"—we've seen them time and again. Why is it so difficult to follow a moral path in public life?

9. What do you think of the final scene (no spoilers here) between Picquart and Dreyfus?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)

At Kathy's, discussing Malala

Malala -discussion questions

1. Would you have had the bravery that Malala exhibited and continues to exhibit?

2. Talk about the role of Malala's parents, especially her father, Ziauddin. If you were her parents, would you have encouraged her to write and speak out?

3. How does Malala describe the affect of the growing Taliban presence in her region? Talk about the rules they imposed on the citizens in the Swat valley. What was life like?

4. Mala has said that despite the Taliban's restrictions against girls/women, she remains a proud believer. Would you—could you—maintain your faith given those same

restrictions?

5. Talk about the reaction of the international community after Malala's shooting. Has the outrage made a difference...has it had any effect?

6. What can be done about female education in the Middle East and places like Pakistan? What are the prospects? Can one girl, despite her worldwide fame, make a difference?

Why does the Taliban want to prevent girls from acquiring an education—how do they see the female role? *

7. Talk about the Taliban's power in the Muslim world. Why does it continue to grow and attract followers...or is it gaining new followers? What attraction does it have for Muslim

men? Can it ever be defeated?

8. Do you agree with Malala that “terror can make people cruel?” Consider historical examples in defending your thoughts.

9. In Part three, we are told of the clandestine operation by the Americans, resulting in the killing of Osama Bin Laden. What are your reactions to the Pakistani view of the events? What reasons do they have to be distrustful of the Americans? What reasons do the Americans have to be distrustful of the Pakistani people? What solutions do you see? Do you think that peace can ever be achieved? If so, what steps need to be taken?

10. In Part Four we are told that the Taliban targeted then fourteen-year-old Malala “because of her primary role in preaching secularism…promoting Western culture…speaking against the Taliban…calling President Obama her idol.” What do you think they hoped to accomplish in the death of this young girl? What might this suggest about the Taliban and their motives?

11. Malala recognizes in Part five that in shooting her, the Taliban made her story global. In what ways did their plan backfire? What things does Malala report are now happening because of her story? What do you see in Malala’s future? In Pakistan’s future? Do you think one girl can make a difference?

12. Malala speaks often of her faith in God. In the middle sections of the book she mourns the killing of Christians by the Taliban, and the loss of the Buddhist histories destroyed by the Taliban. Towards the end of her story, and during her recovery, she speaks of the faith of her family. How can we reconcile something as precious as one’s faith within the turmoil caused in the name of religion? How is it that things so precious to mankind can be turned against it?

13. Do you agree with Malala that books and pens are our most valuable weapons? Explain your thoughts.

14. Study the photographs in the back of the book. Which ones stand out to you and why? Which do you think best complement Malala’s story?

15. Do you think Malala and her family will ever return to Swat? If so what do you think their lives will be like?

16. Even though Malala has received countless letters of support, she has also received messages of hate. Some from her homeland have even accused her family of setting up the entire incident to allow them to live and study abroad. Malala says that she does not blame them, as they have seen so much corruption and distrust. How is it that a girl who loves vampires, gossip, and fighting with her best friend, can also show such maturity.

Questions from Lit Lovers and J.E. Byrne's website

At Jackie's February 2014

Wool -discussion questions

Wool Questions

1.Wool follows several characters over the course of its five sections, with Sheriff Holston, Mayor Jahns, and Juliette playing the largest roles. Who did you sympathize with the most? Who do you feel you resemble most?

 2.Although Sheriff Holston is one of the most important characters in the book in terms of story, we don’t spend nearly as much time with him as we do the others. Were there other characters you wished you could have gotten to know better? Why?

 3.One of the most exciting things about reading Wool is coming to understand exactly how the Silo operates. Was there a moment when the logic of the Silo’s society clicked for you? What was it? Looking back, were there hints that you missed?

 4.Even though the Silo is the only environment the characters have ever known, some of the values of our world seem to linger in the world of Wool, as characters derive status from their proximity to the top of the Silo, complain of the claustrophobic environment, and go to great lengths for a view of the outdoors. Do you think these are reflections of innate human values? Or do you think eventually humans could fully adapt to such an environment?

 5.When Jahns is convincing Jules to take up the Sheriff’s badge, Jules claims, “I don’t think you get what a mess we’d be in without these machines.” To which Jahns replies “And I don’t think you get how pointless these machines are going to become without all these people.” (p. 103) How does this conversation reflect the larger problems of the Silo? Are the costs necessary to keep the Silo going worth their impact on the quality of life? How much sacrifice is too much?

6.Why do you think the rules of the Silo are designed the way they are? What are they designed to help, and what are they designed to hinder? What do the rules tell you about the ultimate goal of the Silo?

7.Both Peter Billings and Lukas Kyle struggle with their roles in the Silo, as the story progresses. Although they initially do their best to maintain the status quo, they eventually work against the roles they’ve been chosen for. What do you make of these transitions? What do you think led them to rebel against the system instead of going along with it? Why do you think they went along with it in the first place? Was it merely fear, or something more?

8.Peter realizes that he has a choice between doing what is expected of him and doing what is right. Can you relate this decision to any other situation in the book?

9.Section four of the book “The Unraveling” is full of references to, and epigrams from, Romeo and Juliet (referred to here as The Tragic Historye of Romeus and Juliette). What comparison can you make between the two stories? Why do you think the author chose this story in particular? With so few products of culture permissible in the Silo, why do you think Romeo and Juliet has been allowed to survive?

10.Why do you think the information in the Legacy has to be hidden? Would you hide it, or share it?

11.Because the Legacy is hidden, the residents do not have access to their own history, beyond the myths they are told. The frequent erasures of knowledge banks (as after an uprising) compound this problem. How does this effect the lives of the residents of the Silo? How might an even slightly larger historical understanding change their decisions?

 12.Why do you think IT has the power, access, and knowledge that they do? Why not some other department? Why not the Mayor?

13.One of the strengths of Wool is that beyond imagining a new world, it allows us to see our own with new eyes. Do you think Wool has symbolic lessons for our contemporary lives? What aspects of modern society might you perceive differently after reading Wool l?

 14.Compare the conversations that Juliette has with Lukas and Peter on pages 531-532 with the conversations that Bernard and Lukas have about the Legacy and the Order. Do you think Juliette’s proposal would work? Or do you think that the darker view of humanity that Bernard represents is more sustainable?

 15.Juliette is viewed as a symbol of the uprising. Do you think an uprising would have occurred without her? Who else could have been a figurehead for it?

 16.Juliette is an inspirational female character in the novel. What other strong women appear in the story and how do they gain or use their power?

 17.Although Wool does answer many of the questions raised in the first few sections, there are many that remain a mystery—what lingering questions do you still have about the world of Wool? What are your speculations about the origins and destiny of the community of the Silo?

18.One of the questions that is never fully answered in the book is the central question of the Silo: Why do those condemned to the outside always (or very-nearly-almost-always) clean the sensors on the cameras?

Buckingham Palace Gardens - discussion questions

“Buckingham Palace Gardens” by Anne Perry

Perry is a prolific writer of historical and Victorian-era mysteries, most of which feature either Thomas and Charlotte Pitt or William Monk. BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDENS is her 25th novel with the Pitts.

1.     The plot involves finding the body of a prostitute in the linen closet at Buckingham Palace. Was this a little bit too shocking for you? 

2.     The list of suspects includes four proper couples as well as all of
the household and personal servants. The Queen is traveling abroad,
so the Prince and Princess of Wales are left to entertain four
couples at Buckingham Palace and talk about railroad project in Africa.  After the body was discovered, did you suspect that the murder may perhaps something to do the Africa’s mission?

3.     What do you think about agent Thomas Pitt of the Special Services branch?  Police labor force in Victorian time was drawn primary from the ranks of the semi-skilled and unskilled people. Is Pitt taken seriously by the affluent businessman and the Price of Wales?

4.     The story and investigation take a significant turn when the wife
of one of the gentlemen turns up dead in the same manner as the
butchered prostitute. Clues point to the husband of the victim.  Did you suspect Julius Sorokine to be the murderer?

5.     Which characters did you think committed the crime? Did you believe Cahoon Dunkel to be the killer before the end?

6.     Pitts’ wife, Charlotte (née Ellison), comes from an upper-class family.  She has married beneath her position and can no longer take part in society events.  Emily’s great aunt by marriage Vespasia Cumming-Gould.  Aunt Vespasia is an elderly woman who has aged gracefully and has friends and acquaintances in the upper levels of society and even in the nobility.  Did her connections help Thomas in solving the murder?

7.     What do you think about Gracie, the Pitts’s diminutive maid?  Pitts enlist her help to discover the gossip among the palace servants.  Did she fulfill her role?  Was this task not too dangerous for an ordinary maid?

8.      In many British novels portraying his period, we see very clear cuts between the “Upstairs, Downstairs” class dramas.  Did you like the way Ann Perry depicted both groups?  Which were more interesting, passages involving the “downstairs” group of servants or the passages involving the
“upstairs” suspects?

9.     What did you learn about the Victorian England you didn’t know? How the time period influences the characters’ actions and beliefs?

10.                         Do you agree that uniqueness of this book may be attributed to skilful character development, engaging plot, and details about the residence of the British royal family?

11.                        After reading  “Buckingham Palace Gardens” would you be interested in reading  more books by Ann Perry?