Virgil Wander

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of graphic violence

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What similarities do you notice between Virgil’s journey and that of other protagonists who rebuild their lives after trauma? Have you encountered comparable narratives of small-town renewal in other stories about communities facing decline, such as Philipp Meyer’s American Rust? Do you find Enger’s approach to redemption more or less compelling than these other works?

2. Enger blends whimsical elements like Rune’s kites with serious themes of loss and redemption throughout the novel. How effectively does this combination of magical realism and grounded emotion work for you as a reader?

3. Greenstone emerges as a place of both stagnation and potential renewal depending on perspective. Which aspects of the town’s character resonated most strongly with you?

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

1. Virgil’s recovery forces him to depend on others after years of solitary living. When have you experienced times where accepting help from your community became essential for moving forward?

2. The protagonist struggles to find the right words after his accident, reflecting broader challenges in communicating during difficult periods. What alternative forms of connection become important to you when traditional communication feels inadequate?

3. Rune arrives in Greenstone seeking to understand a son he never knew existed, piecing together a relationship through others’ memories and stories. Have you encountered situations where family members had to reconstruct relationships or histories that circumstances had fragmented? What emotions do such discoveries typically bring to the surface?

4. The novel emphasizes finding meaning in small, everyday moments rather than grand gestures. Which ordinary activities or interactions in your life have taken on deeper significance during challenging times?

5. Years pass before Virgil expresses his feelings to Nadine, and he ultimately regrets the time lost to hesitation. What opportunities for connection or honesty have you seen people postpone? Have you ever regretted such a deferred opportunity in your own life? 

6. Several characters struggle with isolation despite living in a close-knit community. How do you distinguish between physical proximity to others and genuine emotional connection in your own relationships?

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

1. Greenstone’s economic decline following the mining industry collapse reflects patterns seen across many American communities. What does the novel’s portrayal of residents adapting to economic hardship say about the realities of post-industrial America?

2. The community’s decision to theme their festival around “bad luck” represents an unusual approach to collective trauma and collective memory. What does this choice suggest about how communities can reclaim their narratives and find empowerment in acknowledging difficult histories?

3. The Empress Theater is both a struggling business and a vital community gathering space, creating tension between economic viability and cultural value. How does this conflict reflect broader challenges facing arts institutions in small communities today? What responsibility do you think governments or private donors have to preserve such cultural institutions?

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

1. Rune’s kites appear throughout the novel as more than simple toys or artistic creations, serving multiple symbolic and practical functions. What role do they play beyond their obvious symbolism of freedom and aspiration? How does the physical act of kite-flying carry different symbolic meanings for different characters throughout the story? 

2. Lake Superior and the region’s harsh weather function as almost active participants in the narrative, influencing character development and plot progression. How does the natural environment shape the plot events and the characters’ psychological states?

3. The novel’s pacing alternates between quiet character moments and dramatic events like Jerry’s bomb plot, creating a specific rhythm throughout the narrative. How does this structure affect your experience as a reader and your understanding of change in people’s lives?

4. Virgil’s character development doesn’t follow a straightforward arc of improvement but includes setbacks and complications. How do these challenges impact his overall character development?

5. Movies and storytelling appear throughout as literal plot elements and metaphorical frameworks for understanding experience and memory. How does Enger use these narrative devices to explore themes of memory, identity, and shared community experience?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Design a kite that would represent your own life or aspirations using Rune’s philosophy that “the best kites looked like things unlikely to fly.” What everyday object would you choose, and how would you make it soar?

2. Jerry’s decision to abandon his bombing plan comes from watching Greenstone residents at the festival, seeing their ordinary humanity and joy. Imagine he had chosen a different path entirely that day: What alternative crisis or turning point could have provided the town with a similar opportunity for renewal?

3. Create a scene from Nadine’s perspective during the years between Alec’s disappearance and Virgil’s accident, exploring her internal life during this period of waiting and uncertainty. What internal thoughts would reveal her feelings about hope, independence, and the possibility of new love?

Need more conversation starters? Inspire your group with our Discussion Questions tool.