The
Fairfax Library Book Discussion Group will meet Thursday, November 9th at 7
p.m. in the meeting room of the Fairfax Library to discuss our November book The
Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien
Discussion
questions are below.
Here
are some links for additional background and information:
Coming
up, we have the following book to look forward to reading and discussing:
Thurs.
Dec. 14th News
of the World by Paulette Jiles
Thanks
for reading with us. I look forward to seeing you at the Fairfax Library.
Beth Bailey-Gates
1.
The novel has two epigraphs: “An individual is
no match for history,” and “The wolf is entitled to the lamb.” What is the
significance of these two quotations, and how can they be interpreted after the
novel is read?
2.
Prior to opening the story, O’Brien provides
historical context. Given that she describes the little red chairs on page 68,
why do you think she wants us to have this factual information before starting
the book?
3.
Who is the heroine of the novel? What is the arc
of her struggle?
4.
How does O’Brien bring the old world together
with the new world? What is the impact on the reader of the idyllic village of
Cloonoila as it is exposed to the evil of the outside world?
5.
In what ways does the novel feel like a fairy
tale?
6.
Why does Sister Bonaventure decide to become Dr.
Vlad’s guinea pig? What does this say about Catholicism in general and this
community in particular?
7.
Consider the two dream sequences in the novel.
The first is Vlad’s memories of K, and the second is Fidelma’s imagined
conjugal visit with Vlad. What do these dreams represent, and why are they
important?
8.
How does this novel address the vulnerability of
women and refugees? What is its relevance in 2016? Is justice ultimately done
or is it merely symbolic?
9.
There are omens and foreshadowing from the first
page of the book. Were you aware of these while you were reading, or did it
take a second reading to fully appreciate the author’s craft?
10.
Does Fidelma need to atone for her adultery? How
does she find redemption?
11.
We meet Dr. Vladimir Dragan at the beginning of
the book appearing like a holy man in white gloves and white hair. What does
his appearance signify?
12.
There were a cast of interesting characters and
their stories. Which one did you like the most and why?
13.
Did you find that having all the different
characters included help to augment the story, or did it take away from the
story?
14.
The Little Red Chairs was very graphic in some
parts, in the brutality of the crimes that were committed. Did you find it
upsetting? How did you feel about the approach O’Brien took to convey her
message?
15.
There were many themes that were raised in The
Little Red Chairs, good and evil for example. Which theme did you feel was the
most important?
16.
The start of The Little Red Chairs pays homage
and commemorates the start of the siege of Sarajevo by Bosnian Serb forces with
details of the red chairs and the little chairs. Did you know much about the
war crimes and crimes against humanity before reading the book? Do you feel
that you want to know more about it now?
17.
To what extent do you think O’Brien achieved in
bringing up the philosophical questions regarding war crimes in The Little Red
Chair? Do you think she succeeded in making us aware of the atrocities of war?
18.
What prompted Fidelma to go to the Hague? Was
this the end of her journey or a beginning of a new one?
19.
Fidelma decided to visit Vlad in prison because
“it occurred to her that a trace of him still lurked in her, minute and
spectral, that effluvial stain that would be her stigmata forever.” Do you
think that she would get closure from the prison meeting? Was her expectation
met?
20.
Both Vlad and Fidelma had dreams. What was
significant about Vlad dream, when he was in the cove that involved dreaming of
his friend K? What did Fidelma’s dream of the conjugal room reveal?
