Migrations

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What aspects of Franny’s journey following the last Arctic terns did you find most compelling? Does Migrations remind you of other environmental novels like Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior, which also uses birds’ migration patterns as a central motif?

2. In what ways does McConaghy’s portrayal of a near-future world devastated by climate change differ from other dystopian climate fiction you have read, such as Claire Vaye Watkins’s Gold Fame Citrus or Cormac McCarthy’s The Road?

3. How effectively does the novel balance its environmental message with the personal story of Franny’s redemption?

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

1. Throughout the novel, Franny struggles with an innate restlessness that makes it difficult for her to stay in one place. Have you ever experienced a similar wanderlust or urge for constant movement?

2. Niall learns to accept Franny’s need to wander. How do you balance personal freedom with commitment in your own relationships?

3. What natural environments or elements do you feel particularly connected to, as Franny feels connected to the sea?

4. The novel suggests that humans often destroy what they love through their desire to possess and control. Where have you observed this paradox in your life?

5. As Franny and Ennis discover the thriving ecosystem at the Weddell Sea, they experience a profound moment of hope. When have you found unexpected hope in what seemed like a hopeless situation?

6. At MER, conservationists prioritize saving animals most necessary for humanity’s survival. What is your perspective on species conservation?

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

1. Migrations presents a world where commercial fishing becomes illegal as a last-ditch effort to save marine life. How do you think society should balance economic livelihoods with environmental protection?

2. The novel portrays various approaches to conservation, from human-centric methods to more hands-off philosophies. What current conservation efforts seem most promising to you?

3. Franny commits acts of violence that land her in prison twice, yet McConaghy portrays her with empathy. How does the novel’s treatment of crime and punishment compare to society’s real-world approaches to justice?

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

1. Migrations alternates between Franny’s present journey and her past experiences. What effect does this nonlinear narrative structure have on your understanding of her character?

2. Critics have noted similarities between Migrations and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, with Ennis paralleling Captain Ahab. How does this literary allusion deepen the themes of the novel?

3. What role do the Arctic terns play as both literal creatures and symbolic elements in the story?

4. How does McConaghy uses the motif of cages throughout the novel? What are some of the most striking examples of this motif? 

5. The ocean serves as both setting and symbol throughout the book. How does its portrayal shift as Franny’s journey progresses?

6. Franny’s voice carries the narrative, but her memory is unreliable due to trauma. How does this unreliability affect your interpretation of events?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to follow one animal species on their migration, which would you choose and why?

2. Imagine you are a conservationist in the world of Migrations. What approach would you take to preserve the remaining wildlife?

3. The novel ends with Franny reconnecting with her father. Write a brief scene depicting their first conversation after her release from prison.

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