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Reading Group
Discussion Questions
- Discuss the symbolism of
storms.
- Discuss the roles of women
in the Edwardian era, and how some of the female characters are trying to
change those. How is the war changing their roles?
- Is Jack Wyndham an
underdog or a villain?
- What role does Phoebe
Wyndham play in the novel?
- Discuss the idealism of
the young men and women eager to participate in the war. Why does Chas feel he
"needs" to go to war?
- What other motives do they
have for wanting to get to France?
- Discuss the erosion of
that idealism when confronted with the reality of warfare.
- How is contrast used
throughout the novel?
- What is the significance
of Muskoka?
- What is the purpose of the
letters? Is it a useful device?
- How does using real people
contribute to the story?
- What was the purpose of
using the music of the era in the book?
- Discuss the comment that
this book is social history.
- How does the war change
the people as well as society?
- In my research I was
often surprised by details of life, especially during the war years. (Hence the
notes at the back.) What did you find surprising or unusual?
To Order The Summer Before
The Storm, click here.
Find out
about the documentary, Not Quite Famous - the story of a struggling
writer. Follow me through Muskoka, Flanders Fields, museums, and the highs and
lows of writing and publishing. Visit http://www.doublehelixcreations.com/
for more info.
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