Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Were you familiar with the political events depicted in this novel before you read it? Did you learn anything surprising that you wouldn’t have expected?

2. How does this novel compare to Allende’s earlier works, such as Island Beneath the Sea or Daughter of Fortune? Has the author’s writing style evolved in any way? If you had never read Allende before, are you now interested in reading more?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The central characters spend much of the novel rebuilding their lives from nothing. Have you ever had to rebuild in some way? How did you handle it?

2. Did Allende’s portrayal of love and infatuation change your understanding of love in any way? Which relationship resonated with you the most?

3. How much control do you think people have over their own fates? What has shaped your opinion on this question, and is your perspective the same as the novel’s?

4. How did you feel about Roser and Victor’s extramarital affairs? Did they impact your understanding of societal expectations surrounding relationships?