Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about the novel’s dual-timeline structure? Did you find it effective in building suspense and emotional depth for you?

2. The book intertwines Isabelle’s desperate, high-stakes fight for survival with Reina’s modern journey of self-discovery. Which narrative did you find more compelling, and why? Did your preference shift as the story progressed?

3. How well did the novel balance romance, adventure, and mystery? Which aspect was most compelling for you and why?

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

1. The idea that “the Camino provides” is a central belief for Isabelle as she flees (27). Think about a time you had to take a leap of faith and trust that things would work out or that strangers would help. How does that resonate with what the characters experience on the trail?

2. Reina walks the Camino to feel closer to her late father, using his journal as a guide. What are some ways you connect with your own family history or honor the memory of loved ones in your life?

3. How does the novel depict the unique bonds of a “Camino family”? Have you ever formed a powerful bond with people through a shared experience, like a trip or a project, and what made that connection so memorable?

4. What role do Ted and Ned play in Reina’s transformation? Looking at your own life, have you ever had an unexpected mentor or “trail angel” appear when you needed one most? Did you most relate to Reina and her timeline or to Isabelle? What specific things resonated with you?

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

1. The violent feud in Dur is driven by a conflict over land development. In what ways does this local dispute reflect broader societal tensions between tradition, economic progress, and environmental preservation?

2. What does the modern resurgence of an ancient pilgrimage like the Camino de Santiago suggest about our contemporary world? Why do you think so many people are drawn to unplugging and undertaking such a physically demanding journey today?

3. Isabelle is forced to live as a fugitive, without a legal identity or a safe place to call home. How does her story shed light on the challenges faced by displaced people or those forced to live on the margins of society?

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

1. Isabelle and Reina are separated by nearly three decades, yet they share a number of personality traits and decision-making patterns. Which similarities between mother and daughter felt most significant to you? Which differences ultimately define them as distinct individuals?

2. The novel features another story of a long-distance hike as a path to healing, Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild. How do Reina’s motivations for walking the Camino compare to Cheryl’s reasons for hiking the Pacific Crest Trail? What do the differences suggest about the nature of personal journeys?

3. What was your initial impression of Matt Calhoun? Discuss some specific things the author did to slowly peel back the layers of his character to reveal his true motivations and honorable nature.

4. Many of the novel’s most important moments involve missed connections, delayed information, or chance encounters. To what extent do you think the story presents life as shaped by fate, coincidence, or personal choice? Discuss possible themes that are conveyed through these moments.

5. Discuss different forms of storytelling that are used in the novel, such as journals, letters, photographs, and stories passed between characters. How does Redfearn use these different forms to shape the reader’s understanding of events? Would the novel have felt different if Reina had not been reading her father’s journal alongside her own journey?

6. Discuss which genre you believe Call of the Camino best fits into, whether it be romance, mystery, family saga, travel narrative, or something else entirely. Compare this novel to another you have read in that genre to support your opinion.

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you’re publishing the finished guidebook, Wisdom of the Way. Beyond maps and logistical advice, what three key pieces of “wisdom” from the characters’ experiences would you feature in the introduction to capture the book’s spirit?

2. What do you think happens to Uncle David after he leaves Reina at Monte do Gozo? Does he remain at his sanctuary, or does reconnecting with his niece inspire him to change his life again?

3. If you were tasked with creating a sensory kit for the book, what five items would you include to represent the Camino experience described in the novel? Think about specific sounds, smells, tastes, and textures mentioned.