The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What are your overall impressions of the novel? Which character did you find the most relatable? 

2. How does The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris compare to Evie Woods’s other novels, such as The Lost Bookshop? What similar tropes, plot elements, character types, or themes do they share?

3. Is the romance between Edith and Hugo compelling? Which element of their romance resonated the most with you?

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

1. Edith’s dreams of traveling to France are inspired by the movies she watches with her mother. What movie has made you want to travel and experience its setting?

2. Have you ever experienced tension in a relationship as a result of conflicting goals or values as Edith and Hugo do? How did you respond?

3. How have you navigated experiences of grief and loss in your life? Did any of the characters’ struggles particularly resonate with you?

4. Have you ever faced a difficult choice between following your dreams or taking a safer path? How do you resolve the conflict between dreams and reality in your life?

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

1. What does the novel suggest about the clash between personal fulfillment and modern capitalist values? What parallels to the novel’s portrayal of this tension do you see in contemporary society?

2. How does the historical background of the town of Compiègne inform the narrative? What does the novel say about the negative impact of war on future generations?

3. As a gay man, Pierre lives under constant threat of discrimination and physical danger. What comparisons do you see between the lived realities of the LGBTQ+ community in Pierre’s timeline and the contemporary marginalization of non-cis/het identities?

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

1. How does Woods’s addition of the prologue and epilogue reinforce the novel’s central themes? How might the novel be read differently without them?

2. Discuss and analyze the different character perspectives presented in the novel. How do these shifting perspectives impact Woods’s portrayal of the characters?

3. Compare and contrast Edith and Madame Moreau. How do these characters act as foils for each other? How do their differences impact their approach to grief and healing?

4. The importance of friendship and love links all three of the novel’s major themes. What might this suggest about the power of love to affect change?

5. What is the significance and symbolism of Marcel Proust’s novel Swann’s Way in the context of the story, particularly in Edith’s and Hugo’s relationship?

6. Why does Nicole compare Edith to Emma in Jane Austen’s novel, Emma? Is this a fair comparison? How are they similar and how are they different?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the roles of Edith, Hugo, Madame Moreau, and Pierre?

2. Create a playlist that includes jazz manouche and Django Reinhardt that captures the mood or themes of the book.

3. Imagine you encountered a ghost caught in an echo of motion but unable to interact with you. Whose spirit would you most like to encounter? Write a scene describing what you would say to them.

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