READERS GUIDE

Official Reading Group Guide for The Sunlight Pilgrims 

In order to provide reading groups with the most informed and thought-provoking questions possible, it is necessary to reveal important aspects of the plot of this novel—as wellas the ending. If you have not finished reading The Sunlight Pilgrims, we respectfully suggest that you wait before reviewing this guide. 

Questions and Topics for Discussion

1. Discuss Dylan’s grief. What do you think the author is trying to accomplish with starting the novel with this feeling of loss? 

2. Although The Sunlight Pilgrims is fictional and takes place in the future, the drastic change in weather is a real possible threat. Take a moment to imagine how cold each temperature at the beginning of the chapter really is. Would you be able to survive those extreme temperatures?

3. Do you think there is significance behind Dylan losing two women and then finding two different women that he instantly feels connected to? 

4. Discuss the unorthodox family structures in the novel. 

5. Discuss Stella and Constance’s relationship. How do you think their relationship changed with Stella’s transition? Do you think they grew closer as the novel progressed? 

6. Stella is struggling with her own identity and gender during the worst winter on record. Discuss the parallels between these two events. 

7. Although Constance is a main character, the reader never gets her direct point of view. Did you ever find yourself wishing you knew her thoughts? Why do you think the author decided to only write from Stella and Dylan’s perspective? 

8. Discuss Stella and Dylan’s relationship. Why do you think they get along so well? Do you think Stella wants Dylan to be with her mother? 

9. If you knew a giant iceberg was headed toward your town, what would you do? Do you think it was wise of the group to go see it? 

10. Do you think nature just serves as a setting in the novel, or do you think it has a larger role? 

11. There are a lot of other minor, but interesting, characters in Clachan Falls. Discuss them and the role they serve in the novel. 

12. The ending of the Sunlight Pilgrims is open to interpretation, what do you think happened?