A World of Curiosities

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of graphic violence, death, and gender discrimination.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The discovery of the hidden room containing The Paston Treasure drives much of the novel’s mystery. How does this central mystery compare to other Inspector Gamache novels you’ve read, such as Still Life or How the Light Gets In? What distinguishes this particular investigation from Gamache’s previous cases?

2. What aspects of Three Pines as a setting made the biggest impression on you?

3. Fleming’s elaborate revenge plot spans years and involves multiple layers of deception. How effective did you find Penny’s portrayal of this long-term manipulation, and did the complexity feel believable or overly convoluted?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Gamache struggles with his instinctive distrust of Sam while others find the young man charming. Have you ever experienced a strong negative gut reaction to someone that others around you didn’t share?

2. The novel explores how childhood trauma shapes Fiona and Sam in vastly different ways. What role do you think personal choice plays versus circumstances in determining how people respond to difficult experiences? How do you see this dynamic playing out in your own observations of people?

3. Myrna considers leaving Three Pines because her living space no longer fits her evolving needs. How do you decide when it’s time to make major changes in your living situation?

4. Gamache initially resists helping Amelia Choquet because of her connection to his parents’ death, but eventually chooses forgiveness over resentment. Think about a time when you had to work past negative feelings toward someone. What helped you move beyond those initial reactions?

5. The residents of Three Pines form a tight-knit community that rallies around each other during crises. What qualities make a community feel like home to you, and how important is that sense of belonging in your life?

6. Harriet dismisses her aunt’s warnings about Sam despite Myrna’s genuine concern for her safety. When have you found yourself ignoring advice from people who care about you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The historical Montreal Massacre serves as a crucial backdrop for understanding Gamache’s character and connects to the novel’s exploration of violence against women. How does Penny’s incorporation of this real tragedy enhance the story’s themes about misogyny and its lasting societal impact?

2. Anne Lamarque’s persecution for witchcraft in 17th-century New France parallels the targeting of female engineering students centuries later. What similarities do you observe between how different societies have historically responded to women who challenge traditional gender roles?

3. Patricia Godin’s death is initially dismissed as suicide following her hysterectomy, with officials citing hormonal changes as the underlying cause. How does this plot point reflect ongoing issues with how women’s physical and mental health concerns are perceived by medical and legal authorities?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Penny weaves together multiple timelines throughout the novel, connecting past traumas with present-day consequences. What effect does this nonlinear storytelling approach have on your understanding of the characters’ motivations and the mystery’s resolution?

2. The basement in Gamache’s home functions as both a storage space for his case files and the site of his final confrontation with Fleming. How does this setting work symbolically in terms of confronting repressed memories and buried aspects of the past?

3. Fleming’s altered version of The Paston Treasure includes anachronistic objects like digital watches alongside historical artifacts. What significance do you find in this deliberate blending of different time periods within the painting?

4. The iron ring that Gamache discovers becomes a crucial clue linking Fleming to one of his murder victims. How does Penny use this symbol of professional ethics and responsibility to advance both the plot and the novel’s themes?

5. Fiona’s last-minute decision to help save Gamache rather than complete Fleming’s revenge plan creates a pivotal moment of redemption. What elements in her character development throughout the story make this choice feel believable or surprising to you?

6. Consider the novel’s exploration of hidden spaces, from the sealed room to Gamache’s basement archive. How do these concealed areas reflect the psychological landscapes of the characters who inhabit or discover them?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Design your own version of The Paston Treasure that would represent your personal collection of meaningful objects. What items would you include, and how would you arrange them to tell the story of your life and interests?

2. Imagine you’re renovating an old building and discover a hidden room like the one in Myrna’s loft. What would you hope to find inside, and what would you do with the mysterious space once you opened it?

3. Picture yourself as a new resident of Three Pines during these dramatic events. Would you be more likely to notice the subtle clues that Gamache initially missed, or do you think you’d fall for Fleming’s carefully constructed deceptions like most of the other villagers?

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