Strangers in Time

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What other historical fiction novels about World War II have you read (for example, All the Light We Cannot See, The Book Thief, or The Rose Code)? How does Strangers in Time compare? What unique elements does the novel add to this popular historical fiction setting and era?

2. Strangers in Time follows the storylines of three main characters—Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius—which converge at different times. Which of these storylines did you enjoy most? Did you find any of them stronger or weaker than the others?

3. What was your reaction to Ignatius’s tragic death so close to the end of the war? How does this ending contribute to the text’s conversation about death’s unfairness?

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

1. Molly must constantly prove herself to those who look down on her for her age and gender. Have you ever experienced impediments in your life or work because of people judging you based on stereotypes? Are Molly’s frustrations realistic or exaggerated?

2. Charlie is a thief and constantly breaks the law, but he claims to have good reasons and personal rules about who he’ll steal from. Have you ever done something that was ethically wrong for an ultimately positive outcome? How did you grapple with the decision and its repercussions? 

3. The characters in the novel travel through a number of London’s neighborhoods and explore their specific characteristics, including class ramifications. How does the book’s exploration of the urban intersection between class and geography reflect your own experience in other cities? 

4. Molly, Ignatius, and Charlie all express feelings of luck for having one another to lean on during their times of hardship. Recall a time when you felt comforted by a friend or offered comfort to a friend. How did the experience affect you? Did the other person also get something out of the shared experience of support?

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

1. Analyze how the book critiques the wealth disparities present in wartime London. How does poverty or access to wealth influence how the characters move through their world? How does this representation intersect with contemporary discussion of these issues?

2. Explore the text’s discussion of mental health and available treatments in the early 20th century. How do the Beneficial Institute’s experimental treatments reflect the progress and limitations of early mental health care?

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

1. Analyze how the motif of rationing connects to the novel’s exploration of social class. How does the government-mandated rationing system operate differently for the rich and poor, even though they have the same rules?

2. Ignatius struggles to be himself because Imogen’s opinions and beliefs overpower his mind. Explore Ignatius’s complicated relationship with Imogen and her persistent influence on him even after her death. Why does Ignatius favor Imogen’s thoughts over his own, and when in the novel does this habit begin to change?

3. Explore how the characters participate in the war effort both through their actions and attitudes. What conflicts arise with those who aren’t doing their part?

4. Discuss Baldacci’s representation of the effects of war—both physical and mental—on all people who encounter its tragedies. What are some of the significant physical and mental impacts that the text illustrates? How do the characters attempt to overcome these traumas? Are any of them successful?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine if the final chapter followed Charlie in the future rather than Molly. How might his reflections on the war differ compared to what Molly shares and sees? How does he see their relationship and their connection to Ignatius differently?

2. The characters frequently extol how books can help people understand and deal with their lived circumstances. Make a list of two or three books that each main character might’ve found useful or comforting during the war years, and explain your choices.