The Book of Life

Do Diana and Matthew have a healthy relationship? What efforts to they make to find a healthy balance, and do they succeed?

Family and heritage play a significant role in The Book of Life. How do these factors affect the characters of the story? How do they affect the plot? Use examples to explain your answer.

How does Matthew’s guilt over Benjamin affect his choices in the story? How does this guilt tie in with the novel’s themes?

At one point, Gallowglass tells Diana, “That’s what you get for falling in love with the wrong man” (1426). Is Matthew the wrong man? In what ways would Gallowglass be a better partner for Diana? How would the story change if Gallowglass were Diana’s partner?

Many characters struggle with power in The Book of Night. In your opinion, which characters are corrupted by power? Which characters manage their power appropriately? Which characters struggle to find a balance? Use examples to explain your answer.

What role does family play in The Book of Life? Which family groups are the most functional? Which are the most dysfunctional? How do family dynamics influence the characters?

The Book of Life moves through many different settings. How do different settings affect different characters? Which settings make which characters the most comfortable? The most uncomfortable? Why? What do the various settings represent in the story?

In your opinion, which three secrets are the most damaging in the story? Why? What damage do they cause? How could this damage have been mitigated? What were the secrets trying to protect?