A good story should make us think, putting questions in our minds, niggling thoughts we find ourselves coming back to long after the pages have stopped turning. Nothing beats sitting down with friends to talk over a great book, discussing likes and dislikes, sharing how it impacted our thoughts. Here’s a list to help with that…

1. Context is important.  In the context of Eden’s circumstances, she felt the brooch Mrs. Cook had claimed was rightfully hers. Mrs. Cook felt the brooch was sufficient payment for lodgings.  Who was the thief in this scenario?  Is right and wrong dependent on circumstances? Do we change the meaning of law to suit our own circumstances?
2. To increase the living conditions for the poor, the Artisans Dwelling Act was put through the British Parliament allowing authorities to demolish properties deemed unfit for dwelling. The result was the displacement of large parts of the poor population. Where does government responsibility to social economical problems lie?  Is government responsible to provide adequate housing for those unable to provide it for themselves?
3. The British Home Child program ran intermittently from 1869 to 1967, and through it emigrated over a hundred thousand children from Britain to former colonies, mainly Canada and Australia.  Its purpose was to offer a better life for those unable to provide for themselves.  In 2010 the prime minister of Britain offered a formal apology to all those affected by the ‘misguided’ program and set up a substantial fund to reunite families. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of the program. Was the formal apology necessary? 
4. Several charities were involved in the home child program including that of Maria Rye. These charities were set up and monitored in large part by different churches. How has the church neglected her responsibility to be the hands and feet of Christ in our own communities? Why has there been a shift from church funded charities to government funded aid?
5. Grief has a heavy impact on life. Discuss how grief affected the lives of Hal and Anna. Why was it so hard for the community of Paisley Corners to communicate their support?  What makes it difficult to walk beside those weighed down with grief?
6. What role did regret play in the life of Jake Fuller? Discuss how the consequences of unintended actions shape who we become as individuals.
7. Discuss the disconnect between bureaucratic ideals and everyday reality. Was the report by Mr. Doyle necessary? Did it give an accurate picture of the benefits and downfalls of the adoption or indenture components of the program? Contrasting the experiences of Jane, Eden, and Lillian was the screening process implemented by the Western Home sufficient?
8. Discuss how Eden’s journey led her to the home of Anna Burke. How was Eden responsible for the events that occurred in her life? What choices did she make that turned her from a passive victim and gave a sense of control?
9. Eden felt trapped in her place within society, with no future or hope for freedom from her station in life. She felt the external forces and people controlling her life were preventing her from achieving the sense of belonging she desperately wanted. Discuss how her inner conflict created her greatest conflict as she confessed to Jake: ‘The way I think of myself, the way I let other’s thoughts change me, the way I carry around the troubles of the past.’
10. An immigrant in a new country and an orphan without a history, how did Eden’s identity affect how she was viewed by society? Eden struggled with feelings of worthlessness and acceptance.  Ultimately, until we put our hope in Christ, identify ourselves in His work, and find our worth in Him we flounder.  How is Christ the answer to all that we need?

Download a printable PDF of the discussion questions below: