The Prayer Box

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your experience reading the dual narrative of Tandi’s present-day struggles and Iola’s historical letters? Did the shifts in time enhance or slow the story for you?

2. Wingate is also known for her novel Before We Were Yours. If you’ve read it, how did your experience with that book compare to The Prayer Box? How does this novel’s way of uncovering the past compare to other historical mysteries you’ve read?

3. The novel is often classified as Christian fiction. In what ways did it meet or subvert your expectations for that genre? Were the themes of faith and grace presented in an accessible way for a wide range of readers?

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

1. Iola’s prayer boxes redefine prayer as an active process of witnessing and service. How does this compare to other views of prayer you’ve encountered? Have you seen small acts of service make a big difference in your life?

2. Tandi is initially distrustful of Fairhope’s community, but the Sisterhood of the Seashell Shop becomes her lifeline. What role does chosen family or supportive community play in personal healing?

3. The novel argues that secrets, even those kept for self-preservation, can be corrosive. Do you agree? Can you think of times when keeping a secret was more protective than harmful?

4. Tandi rediscovers a part of herself through her work as a handywoman. Have you ever found personal clarity or healing through a hands-on activity, like crafting, building, or gardening?

5. The Outer Banks setting mirrors Tandi’s journey of starting over. When facing significant life changes, does the idea of moving to a new place feel like an escape or an opportunity for renewal?

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

1. Iola’s decision to “pass” as white to join the military is a pivotal secret born from the realities of the Jim Crow era. How does this deepen your understanding of the sacrifices tied to racial identity in that time?

2. The conflict over demolishing Benoit House pits history against development. Does this reflect real-world tensions in communities balancing history with the demands of development?

3. How does the book portray the unique challenges of motherhood alongside recovery from addiction and domestic abuse, and what does it suggest about community support systems and healing?

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

1. Benoit House is a central symbol in the novel. How does the fight for its restoration mirror the emotional journeys of both Tandi and Iola?

2. Which scenes best show the duality of water as a motif? How does the Outer Banks setting compare to other novels where nature is a powerful force? Consider, for example, Delia Owens’s Where the Crawdads Sing.

3. Ross and Paul function as foils. In what specific ways do Tandi’s interactions with each man reveal her changing sense of self-worth and her evolving needs in a partner?

4. How did this epistolary structure shape your connection to Iola, and what might have been lost if her story were told through traditional flashbacks instead?

5. What was the impact of the final revelation that Tandi was the “Mulberry Girl” Iola had been praying for? How did this twist reframe your understanding of faith, fate, and interconnectedness?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What might a prayer letter from a character besides Iola look like? Choose someone like Paul, Zoey, or Sandy, and describe what they might write in a moment of personal reflection or need.

2. The novel ends with the plan to turn Benoit House into a museum and community center. What exhibits or activities would you design for the museum to best honor Iola’s secret life of service and tell her full story to visitors?

3. What do you think happens to Gina after she flees the commissioners’ meeting? Write a text message from her to Tandi one year later. What would she say, and do you believe she has changed at all?