Book Clubs
Discussion Questions
Discussion questions for Loyalty's Web:
- Why do you think the author chose the title, "Loyalty's Web," for this book?
- How can loyalty be both a positive and a negative trait? How are both aspects of loyalty portrayed by the characters in this book?
- Decisions and actions always bring consequences. What were the consequences of some of the decisions and actions made by various characters in this book?
- Which characters, if any, did you relate to the most? Why?
- Did the characters change or evolve during the story? What circumstances contributed to their growth?
- Did you agree with Heléne's decisions in this book? With Gunthar's? With Triston's? Why or why not? What decisions might you have made differently? How might your decisions have effected the outcome of this story?
- Did the setting enhance the story? If so, how? If not, how did it detract?
- What did you learn about medieval society by reading this book? medieval politics? the role of women in the Middle Ages? How did you feel about the latter?
- (Optional for LDS readers): In Doctrine & Covenants 93:53, the Lord says: "And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should...obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion." Why do you think the Lord wants us to learn about "history and countries" other than our own?
Discussion Questions for Loving Lucianna
- Triston refers to Lucianna as a “complicated” and “difficult” woman. What aspects of Lucianna’s character did you find difficult to relate to? What aspects of her character did you sympathize with?
- Loving Lucianna takes place in two locations, medieval Venice and medieval Poitou. Did the author succeed in giving a different flavor to each of these locations? If so, how? If not, how did they feel the same?
- How did you feel about the flashback scenes to Venice? Did they enhance or distract from the rest of the story, and how did they do so? How did Lucianna’s experiences in these scenes shape the woman she later became?
- How did you feel about the relationship between Lucianna and Elisabetta? Did it feel authentic? Did you agree with all the decisions these two young women made? Why or why not? What decisions might you have made differently? How would your decisions have changed the course of the story?
- Have you ever had a friendship with someone as close as the friendship between Lucianna and Elisabetta? How did that friendship affect your life?
- What were your feelings about Sir Balduin? Do you feel he should have stood up to Lucianna more? How do you think she would have reacted?
- Why do you think the author chose the title Loving Lucianna for this story? How did other characters show their love for Lucianna? How did Lucianna show her love for other characters in this book?
- What are some things you learned about the medieval time period while you read? Do you think it’s important to learn about other time periods than our own? Why or why not?
- Were you satisfied with the ending? If so, why? If not, how would you like the story to have ended?
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