1. What are some of the story’s major themes?
  2. What does the story say about forgiveness?
  3. What does the story say about survival?
  4. How do fables, legends and oral storytelling provide comfort, connection or clarity in the novel?  What are some stories or fables that have been meaningful in your life?
  5. How do Gaeton and Evariste protect one another? What do they each risk or gain by protecting the other?
  6. In what ways has Gaeton been victimized?
  7. How does Gaeton evolve as a man, son, and survivor?
  8. When we first meet Gaeton, he’s described as an “architect of dreams.” He doesn’t seem to have any dreams of his own, other than Evariste. Does this change?
  9. Compare and contrast Evariste and Mamree during Mamree’s life.
  10. Compare and contrast Evariste and Mamree at the end of the novel.
  11. When Charlotte births a calf, upon learning that it is a female calf, Mamree says Charlotte is “cursed.”  Evariste says, “I think she’s magical.” Discuss Papi’s view of women and the role women play in the Rwandan culture. What does Evariste think of these roles? What does Gaeton think of these roles?
  12. What role does Muhira play in shaping Evariste’s transformation?
  13. How does Mamree embody defiant, childlike resistance?
  14. Consider Akalisa’s invitation to Muhira to join them while planning an underground route to safety. Consider Muhira’s disdain of Evariste for not supporting Gaeton at the trial. Compare and contrast Akalisa and Muhira.
  15. In the beginning of the novel, dogs are described as lounging lazily in the shade. During the war, they become vicious attackers. After the war, when Remy the dog, leaps upon Evariste, her fear is missing. Discuss the symbolism of the dogs’ transformation. What does it say about trust and healing?
  16. What does the nightingale symbolize for Evariste?
  17. The rivers, hills, and forests feel alive. How does the land itself mirror the emotional journeys of the chapters?
  18. How does Evariste’s journey reflect the broader theme of personal and communal healing? How does she begin to reconnect with her village?
  19. In what ways does Evariste and Gaeton’s love story resist the tribal divisions around them? How do they challenge societal expectations and inherited prejudices?
  20. Were you surprised that Evariste didn’t show more anger towards Gaeton upon his release from prison?
  21. Evariste says she was angry not because Gaeton didn’t stop them from killing her family as she knew he couldn’t but because his actions meant no one could be in the room to “roar” or “cry” for Mamree during her torture. What do you think of this? Was it kinder to both of the girls to remove Evariste if she couldn’t help stop the atrocity?
  22. What was the most haunting or impactful war scene or experience for you?
  23. Evariste discusses the fear of being buried alive in the potato field more than once. Why was this so terrifying to her?
  24. What does Akalisa represent in terms of generational trauma and cultural continuity? How does her guidance (or silence) affect Evariste’s choices?
  25. How does the reconciliation village reflect Rwanda’s real-life post-genocide struggles and successes? What aspects felt hopeful and what felt difficult to accept?
  26. Does Gaeton ever truly find redemption?
  27. How does the novel address complicity, survival and silence? How do secondary characters navigate guilt or denial?
  28. Which moment in the story resonated most with your own life and why?
  29. What did this book teach you about the human spirit?
  30. If you could ask Gaeton or Evariste one question, what would it be? How do you think they would respond?
  31. If you had to assign a new title to this book based on what moved you the most, what would it be?
  32. Consider the author’s Letter to the Reader and how she mentioned that when she thinks of the strengths to her nation, she hears a nightingale. What are the “nightingales” in your own culture or personal life?
  33. How does Evariste’s experiences shape her views on creativity? What does the novel say about creativity?
  34. In what ways does Gaeton struggle with his sense of right and wrong, especially regarding his actions during the war?
  35. Can anyone be driven to heinous acts?
  36. Evariste describes how the smell of death clings to her, even after the war, and the final sentence in that segment says “a faint sour odor followed her,” even after the bath. How is this symbolic of healing from any type of trauma?  Is healing linear?
  37. How do you grieve?
  38. Gaeton didn’t physically harm Mamree.  It could be argued he was in a no-win situation: one or both of the girls were going to be tortured and killed.  Why is Evariste so angry with him? Do you think it’s possible that all of the other things Evariste goes through, including having to hide among the dead and being raped, makes Gaeton a scapegoat because she’s too fearful to feel anger towards the militia? Why are we sometimes afraid to place anger where it rightfully belongs?
  39. What is your breaking point? Have you ever gone past the breaking point and, if so, what did that mean for you? What could it mean?  Do you think Evariste or Gaeton hit their personal breaking point? Why or why not?
  40. What does Gaeton’s act take from Evariste? Does it take her agency?  If you had to save one person in your one family, but doing so meant the sacrifice of another… what do you think you would do? Is there a family member who you know for sure you wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever you needed to do to protect?  And, most of all, Gaeton’s decision is a split second decision, where he did not have time to analyze the pros and cons of any perceived choice. Some might argue that he acted from instinct: protect Evariste at all costs.  Has instinct, when you’ve followed it, ever led you wrong? 
  41. Do you think Evariste and Gaeton are good for each other?
  42. While other Johnson books have not shied away from scenes of physical intimacy after rape, this one avoids it. Why?
  43. What has been the most important or meaningful promise in your life?  Did you make the promise or did someone promise you?  Was the promise kept?  
  44. If you were to create a “vision board” with big, bucket-list type dreams on them, what would be on yours and what practical, Gaeton-like questions would help you take the first step to achieving one of the dreams? 
  45. Do you believe that peaceful resolutions are possible when the problem is widespread, deeply rooted and very sensitive? 
  46. What were your favorite moments of the Jubilee festival? What might you have added to the festivities?