Topic 1

How do the shifts in perspective relate to Claudia’s views about history?

Topic 2

What is Claudia’s attitude toward God and religion?

Topic 3

Claudia sometimes describes her life archaeologically. Discuss her model of life having strata and a core.

Topic 4

Do you think that Claudia was a bad mother? Why or why not?

Topic 5

Claudia and her brother Gordon carry on an incestuous relationship in late adolescence. Claudia later describes this as a manifestation of their narcissism. Do you think Lively succeeds in making the reader consider the complexities of incest rather than simply recoiling at this taboo?

Topic 6

Claudia says that wars are devised by elders and fought by children. Do you agree with this?

Topic 7

Claudia becomes disgusted with the group of strategists she meets at the Chateau with Jasper because she feels they do not understand the disorder and chaos of history...