The Wonder, Emma Donoghue

The Wonder

By Emma Donoghue

(Tansley Reads rating 56%)

Icebreaker

What was your favourite/most interesting/old fashioned toy that you’ve ever played with?

 

Questions

 

1.  Hearing the name Florence Nightingale (Miss N) may bring thoughts of the epitome of nursing and the "perfect" nurse.  How does Mrs. Wright live up to that perfection, or, does she?

2.  What were your first impressions of Lib?

                     

3.  On page 23, Lib is talking with Sister Michael and says in part “…if one punishes oneself, one’s sins will be forgiven?” to which the nun replies “or those of others”.  What was Sister Michael’s role in the events as they unfolded?

 

4.  How might Lib have been better prepared to understand Anna’s fasting if she had be of the Catholic faith (or any faith at all)?

 

5. On page 16, Lib finds out the reason she has been hired, as the committee needed “Two scrupulous attendants [that] will stay by Anna turn and turnabout, night and day, for a fortnight.”  What was the Village Committee’s purpose in investigating the O’Donnell’s claims?

 

6.  Why did no one ask Anna why she was fasting?

                     

7.  Why didn’t Dr. McBrearty consider starvation as a reason for Anna’s obvious physical changes (swelling, hair loss, inflamed gums, and hair growth)?

 

8.  As the days pass and Anna's condition deteriorates, Liz begins to feel she may be complicit in girl's demise. Is she?

 

9.  After Patrick’s funeral, Anna tells her mother about the incest or “double love”.  Why didn’t Mrs. O’Donnell believe her?

 

10.  How did Lib’s opinion of Anna, Ireland and the other villagers change throughout this novel?

                     

11.  Lib appears to be very suspicious of everything Irish yet she seems to immediately trust William Byrne even though he is an Irishman and a newspaper reporter.  Why do you think that is?

 

12.  There are many meanings for the word “wonder” i.e.  strange or remarkable thing or specimen or event; amazement; to be greatly surprised or filled with wonder; to be curious to know; very remarkable.  Does the title of this book have a particular meaning for you?

 

13: At the end of the book Lib, Anna and Byrne all leave Ireland/England under the false identities of Eliza Raitt, Nan and Wilkie Burns.  Was this the best resolution/ending for this novel?

 

 14:  Quick round: What did you think of the book? Is there anything you want to discuss that we missed?