Once There Were Wolves

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of emotional abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, and animal death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Charlotte McConaghy weaves together elements of mystery, environmental fiction, and psychological drama throughout the novel. Which aspect resonated most strongly with you, and how did this shape your overall experience of the story?

2. How did your perception of wolves evolve as you read? Were you ultimately more aligned with the conservationists or the local farmers, and what specific moments in the narrative influenced your perspective?

3. Once There Were Wolves explores how trauma can fundamentally alter one’s view of humanity. If you’ve read McConaghy’s novel Migrations, which similarly features a fierce female protagonist confronting both external and internal conflicts, how does it compare?

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

1. Inti experiences mirror-touch synesthesia, physically feeling sensations that others experience. How might your daily interactions change if you possessed this heightened form of empathy? What strengths or vulnerabilities might it create?

2. The novel portrays the powerful bond between Inti and Aggie as both a source of strength and limitation. Reflect on a similar relationship in your own life. How has it both supported and challenged you?

3. Throughout the story, characters face ethical dilemmas about when to intervene—whether with nature, abusive relationships, or criminal justice. Recall a time when you struggled with whether to step into a difficult situation. What guided your ultimate decision?

4. Inti’s relationship with Duncan challenges her to reconsider her beliefs about trust and connection. When has a relationship or experience prompted you to reevaluate a long-held perspective?

5. The “trembling giant” in the novel symbolizes how seemingly separate entities can be deeply interconnected. What has your own community or environment proved to have surprising connections you hadn’t previously recognized?

6. Inti and Aggie respond differently to trauma—Inti by becoming fiercely protective, Aggie by withdrawing and later seeking retribution. How do you tend to process difficult experiences, and what has helped you move forward?

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

1. The novel addresses how communities often accommodate abusers rather than confronting them directly. How does this reflection compare to contemporary conversations around domestic violence and community responsibility?

2. The rewilding project creates tension between environmental conservation and traditional farming practices. Do similar conflicts exist in your region between environmental initiatives and established industries? Where else in the world do such tensions arise?

3. McConaghy draws parallels between the treatment of wolves and the treatment of women, particularly those who have experienced violence. How does this connection illuminate societal attitudes toward both groups?

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

1. Throughout the novel, wolves function as a controlling metaphor. How do they symbolically reflect aspects of human nature, particularly in relation to Inti’s and Aggie’s characters?

2. The narrative alternates between past and present, gradually revealing the traumatic events that shaped the twins. How does this structure affect your understanding of the characters? Does this approach remind you of other novels with dual timelines, such as Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See?

3. Consider the symbolism of Gall, the injured horse that Inti rescues. How does Gall’s journey parallel Aggie’s mental health trajectory, and what significance does the horse hold in the novel’s conclusion?

4. McConaghy creates several character doubles in the novel: Inti/Aggie, Stuart/Gus, Number Six/Number Ten, etc. How do these pairings enhance the novel’s exploration of its central themes?

5. Examine how Inti’s professional identity as a biologist influences her worldview. How does her scientific perspective both help and hinder her understanding of human relationships?

6. The novel presents several moral ambiguities, particularly regarding justice and retribution. How does McConaghy avoid passing judgment on her characters’ actions, and what effect does this moral neutrality have for readers?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. You are tasked with designing a memorial for the wolves who died during the rewilding project. What elements would you include to capture their significance to both the ecosystem and to Inti’s personal journey?

2. The character of Red McRae undergoes a significant transformation from antagonist to ally. Write a short monologue from his perspective explaining his change of heart about the wolves.

3. The Epilogue shows Inti teaching her daughter about nature and tracking wolves. What specific lessons from the novel would be most important for her to pass on, and how might these shape her daughter’s understanding of both wilderness and humanity?

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