The Beautiful Mystery

How does Penny portray religious faith as both a destructive force and a moral good?

What is the role of nature in the novel, especially as it relates to characters’ moral struggles?

Consider father-son relationships in the novel. How do these relationships thrive? How do they fracture?

Compare Gamache and Francoeur. In what ways are they opposites? How are they alike?

Discuss styles of leadership in the novel. How do the abbot, Gamache, the prior, and Francoeur handle the demands of leadership? What are their strengths and flaws as leaders?

How does Penny use history in the novel? Why does she reference real medieval events to explain the fictional monks’ culture and motivations?

The novel features several examples of fame; in particular, the monks’ popular chant recording and the viral video of Beauvoir being shot. What are the consequences of being known for the monks and the detectives?

Discuss the novel’s setting. How does the remote monastery influence its inhabitants and its visitors? What symbolic meanings does it have and why?