Letters To The Lost Discussion Qs

[Paige, Odd Thomas for March]

This is the discussion questions for the book Letters To The Lost.

1. To what extent is Jess a modern-day version of Stella? What are the similarities and differences in their characters and situations?

2. Do you perceive Charles as being the perpetrator of injustice or as much as a victim of attitudes of the time as Stella?

3. Will would never describe himself as a hero material. Would you?

4. Stella wonder how she could have done things differently, to change what happened? Given the restrictions of the time, what could she have done?

5. Will and Jess are from very different backgrounds. How likely is it that their relationship will stand the test of time?

6. Do you think the novel presents a positive view of the 1940s or a negative one?

7. Stella and Nancy share the same background and upbringing, yet it has affected them in very different ways. How has it impacted each of them in terms of their personally and the choices they make?

8. How much does the war affect the events of the story?

9. What do you see as the central theme of the book?

10. What do you think Stella and Dan's life would have been like had they managed to find a way to be together?