Wednesday, November 8, 2017

The Little Red Chairs by Edna O'Brien November 2017

November 2017 selection - The Little Red Chairs by Edna O'Brien

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?

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