Questions About Christmas Bells

by Jennifer Chiaverini (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (1)

Christy Here are some that I crafted on my own:

1- How did this book make you feel? Did you like it?
2- Before reading this book, how much did you know of the h…moreHere are some that I crafted on my own:

1- How did this book make you feel? Did you like it?
2- Before reading this book, how much did you know of the history behind this poem and/or Longfellow?
3- What are some things you learned from reading this book?
4- What did you think of the chapters being divided by narrators in a “Canterbury Tales” fashion: there is “The Music Teacher’s Tale,” “The Widow’s Tale,” “The Priest’s Tale,” and so on? Was it effective?
5- Was it confusing when more than occasionally the narrators reflect on the very same events and the author repeats the exact same dialogue?
6- Discuss the various characters: The military family of Mrs. Laurie Moran and her kids Alex & Charlotte waiting for word of her husband/their father Jason? Camille Barrett, wife of the late senator Paul Barrett, who donated the piano to the church? Father Ryan and Sister Winifred at St. Margaret's Catholic Church? Sophia and Lucas? Henry Longfellow and Fanny Appleton and their 5 children Charley, Ernest, Alice, Edith & Allegra Anne?
7-What are your thoughts about little Annie's confession about how her mother died - by her playing with matches, or Franny stepping on a match, or Franny’s dress catching fire from the candle?
8- What are your impressions of the story of Longfellow and his family?
9- The author even managed to incorporate another famous Christmas story, “The Gift of the Magi,” into this one. Had you heard of that story before?
10- In Longfellow’s classic Revolutionary War poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” which was mentioned, were you surprised to learn there were more riders than just Paul Revere? Why has Longfellow’s version of Revere’s ride all too often been taken for fact?
11- Longfellow wrote his Christmas poem during a time of his own great sadness and despair yet the poem is about being hopeful. Did this book remind you of anything to be hopeful at this time of year in these trying times?
12- Jennifer Chiaverini’s resonant and heartfelt novel for the season reminds us why we must continue to hear glad tidings, even as we are tested by strife. Does Longfellow's "Christmas Bells" poem still resonate today?(less)

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