Why does Kelly title the book Lilac Girls? What do lilacs represent, and how are they connected to the characters in the novel? 

Caroline Ferriday was a real woman who lived during World War II, but Paul Rodierre and their relationship are entirely fictional. Why does Kelly fictionalize a romantic relationship for Caroline? Is this derivative to her character at all, and if so, why? 

How to the alternating perspectives in the narrative add to the story? Do the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter add in any way to the tone of the work? Does it differ from chapter to chapter?