Book Club Discussion Questions
Reading Group Guide - Daughter of the Reich/People Like Us
1. As a child, Hetty becomes an enthusiastic follower of Nazi beliefs. With the benefit of hindsight, she may appear naïve in her unquestioning adherence to these morally reprehensible views. How do you think we acquire our moral compass, and who are the most important influencers in this regard - parents, school, friends? How challenging is it in reality to think differently to those around you, particularly as a child or young person?
2. Hetty continues to tolerate Tomas as a friend, even though she has moved up the social and economic ladder, leaving him behind as his family’s fortunes deteriorate. Why do you think she keeps hold of his friendship, even as she sometimes appears ashamed of Tomas? How does the dynamic of their relationship change over the course of the novel?
3. Unlike Hetty, Karl’s attitude towards the Nazis is not brought into question in the book. He appears to be a devoted follower of Hitler, but do you think he ever questions his own allegiance? What evidence is there for your opinion?
4. Mutti, as a French woman rather than a German, is an ardent Nazi and admirer of her husband. Even after the war, and knowing of her husband’s infidelity, she does not lose faith in either. What do you think it is that drives her to behave and feel the way she does?
5. Hetty and Walter’s relationship is an unlikely one, as they come from two different worlds. Hetty attributes Walter with the credit for changing her thinking. But knowing the sort of girl she was, do you think she would have continued in her unquestioning support of the regime as the truth of what was happening to Jews and other minorities emerged, even if it weren’t for Walter? On what do you base your opinion?
6. Although there were fractured pockets of resistance in some German towns and cities as the 1930’s progressed and the hold of the Nazis became more and more extreme, there was no grand scale resistance in Germany in the same way that there later was in France. Why do you think this might have been the case? How does the way German society is portrayed in Daughter of the Reich/People Like Us influence your opinion?
7. Walter and Hetty took huge risks in their meetings and becoming a couple. Erna’s family took enormous personal risks to help Hetty, who they cared for, but also to help total strangers. What do think it is that sets some people apart to think differently from the mainstream? Which characters in the book would you consider heroic, and why?
8. One of the recurring themes in the book is that of female relationships: the friendship between Hetty and Erna, and the relationships between Mutti and Hetty and Hetty and Anna. What do you think are the complexities of each of these relationships, and is there a common thread in all of them?
9. Many characters are not completely honest with each other: Hetty early on in not letting Tomas know how she looks down on him; Hetty not telling Walter how she really struggles to overcome her Nazi beliefs; Vati with his infidelity and Mutti in not confessing she knows about it; Erna not telling Hetty her true beliefs, and so on. How important is honesty in all relationships, and do you think any of the outcomes for the characters in the book might have been different had they been honest with each other?
10. Hetty becomes involved in the Kindertransport, a program through which thousands of desperate mothers had to send their children away for their own safety. While some children were lucky enough to have relatives to go to, most were sent to strangers who agreed to take these refugee children into their own homes for indefinite periods of time. What do you think persuaded people to offer to take such children in, and do you think such a program would or could be implemented today?
Reading Group Guide – The Hidden Child
1. The Hamiltons’ views on the “unfit” and the “underclasses” were widely held in their time and class in society. It was largely due to their personal experiences with Mabel that they were forced to change their beliefs. How much do you think our own views on what is acceptable in society are driven by the beliefs of those around us? Have you ever changed your thinking on an issue after being confronted by something on a personal level you hadn’t considered before?
2. Supporters of the eugenics movement feared the human race would become less intelligent if those whom they considered to have lower intelligence were permitted to have more children than those they considered to be of higher intelligence. Do you think intelligence continues to be one of the highest-valued qualities a person can have in most societies today? Do you think this right, or should other qualities be equally valued? Can you give examples of such qualities?
3. Why do you think Eleanor and Rose handled their mother’s death so differently?
4. Edward sees himself as weak and as a failure, lying to cover up those “faults,” as he sees them. Do you think Edward is weak? Do you consider his actions regarding Porter to be dishonourable and unforgivable? How do you think the war affected his decisions?
5. Eleanor blames Edward for Mabel ending up in the epilepsy colony, despite the normality of such institutions at the time. Do you think there were alternative solutions for Mabel, given Edward’s position in society and his profession? Do you think it was fair of Eleanor to blame him?
6. Many characters were forced to reckon with their preconceptions of others. Can you think of some examples? As you read through the book, how did your opinions about the characters change? Which character did you find experienced the greatest transformation?
7. Eleanor forgives Edward his wrongdoings by the end of the book. Do you think she should have done so? How would her life have changed if she hadn’t forgiven him?
8. Many of the eugenic ideas that were so enthusiastically adopted by the Nazi Party originated in the UK and the US. Also, both these countries embraced the widespread practice of lifelong incarceration and sterilization of thousands of disabled people in the first half of the twentieth century. These facts are rarely discussed. Do they surprise you? Do you think more of this history should be studied and considered? What is the benefit?
9. How do you feel about the personification of the disease of epilepsy? Why do you think the author chose to use this narrative tool? In what way does this voice add perspective and insight into how the disease affects Mabel?
10. Mabel is at the heart of this book, and yet hers is the voice not heard. Why do you think the author made that decision? How do you think the story might have shifted had Mabel’s perspective been given?
Reading Group Guide - The London Bookshop Affair
1. Throughout the novel, Celia is on a journey of self-discovery. As she reckons with her identity and who she is, how does she rebuild her relationships with other characters? Who do you think are the most important influences on our identity?
2. Celia’s family life is in tumult in this novel, and she discovers that friendship is especially important when family relationships break down. What do you think are the positive influences Sam and Daphne bring to Celia’s life?
3. The book is mainly set in 1962, before second wave feminism. At that point in history, change was largely driven by the youth, causing friction between the generations. This friction was reflected in the attitudes of Celia and her grandparents. How did you respond to André and Maggie’s behavior towards Celia? How does this reflect conflict we see in modern society?
4. How do you feel traditional parenting roles are challenged in the novel? Celia spends a lot of time reflecting on motherhood. How do her opinions shift, and do you agree with them?
5. Septimus thought that freedom and choice were illusions that didn’t exist for ordinary people. Do you agree? Do you find his story tragic, or do you think he could have made different choices?
6. State and trade secrets are valuable assets which are both guarded and sought after as much in times of peace as in times of war. Do you think we, as a society, view those who protect them and those who steal them in a different light? Do you think that is fair?
7. The line between protest, disruption and criminality can become blurred. During the 60’s and 70’s, the government treated some anti-nuclear groups as enemies of the state. Was this right? Do you see parallels between the direct action taken during the 1960’s and 70’s by anti-nuclear groups like CND and climate change protestors today?
8. Multiple characters held potent secrets in this novel. Thinking about each of them, were they necessary and justifiable in the circumstances? Can the keeping of secrets ever be regarded as a good thing?
9. Jeannie, according to Miss Clarke, made her decision to join the war effort fully understanding the risks. Do you agree? Would she have made the same choice had her personal circumstances been different when she was first approached? Do you feel differently about a young mother putting herself in danger during a time of war, to that of countless young fathers who bore a similar level of risk?
10. Celia had a tough decision to make at the end of the novel. Do you agree with her choices? How do you feel her character changed over the course of the novel, especially considering her relationship to Septimus?