47 pages • 1-hour read
Still Life
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death and antigay bias.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. How does Penny’s decision to set the murder in the seemingly idyllic village of Three Pines during Thanksgiving weekend affect your reading of the story? Have you read other mysteries that employ this “paradise corrupted” setup—for example, works in Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple series, such as A Murder Is Announced?
2. The novel opens with Jane Neal’s decision to share her art publicly for the first time, followed shortly by her death. What emotional impact did this sequence of events have on you as a reader? What expectations did it create, and did the novel deliver on them?
3. How effective did you find Gamache’s gentle but firm investigative style? Did his approach make you question traditional depictions of detectives as hard-boiled or eccentric? If you have not already done so, would you consider other works featuring Gamache, such as A Fatal Grace?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Throughout the novel, characters struggle with authenticity and acceptance. Have you ever felt pressure to hide or change an important aspect of yourself? How did you navigate that situation?
2. Clara’s artistic process involves periods of uncertainty followed by bursts of inspiration. How does this compare to your own creative or professional experiences?
3. The novel explores how communities can both support and stifle individual growth. What role has community played in your own personal development?
4. Myrna suggests that people often prefer to lead “still lives” rather than embrace change. Can you recall a time when you actively chose change over comfort? What motivated that decision?
5. Consider Jane’s decision to finally share her art after years of keeping it hidden. Have you ever taken a similar leap of faith with something personally meaningful?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and ethical dilemmas.
1. How does the novel address tensions between individual rights and collective responsibilities, particularly in the context of small communities?
2. The book touches on discrimination against both Quebec’s English speakers and the LGBTQ+ community. How effectively does Penny handle these intersecting issues of prejudice?
3. What does Still Life suggest about the role of art in processing trauma and expressing authentic identity? What are the implications of this for society at large?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and use of narrative techniques.
1. How does Penny use weather and seasonal changes to mirror the emotional and narrative developments in the story?
2. Analyze the significance of homes in the novel. How do different characters’ living spaces reflect their personalities and inner struggles?
3. How does Penny use the contrast between Gamache and Agent Nichol to explore different approaches to personal and professional growth?
4. Consider the symbolism of hunting throughout the novel. How does Penny transform it from a simple plot device into a deeper metaphor?
5. What role does Jane’s art play in the story, both as evidence and as a reflection of Three Pines’ history?
6. How do the various memorial services for Jane reflect different approaches to grief and remembrance? What is the significance of these approaches in terms of the novel’s overall meaning?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book’s content and themes.
1. If you were to create a piece of art that captured your community’s essence, as Jane did with Fair Day, what would you include? What might you choose to modify or omit?
2. Imagine you’re tasked with designing a memorial ritual for Jane. What elements would you incorporate to honor both her public and private selves?
3. If you could spend a day in Three Pines, which location would you most want to visit, and why?
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