READERS GUIDE

Questions and Topics for Discussion

1.     Mary Morris says that normally a writer chooses the story she wants to tell but that this story chose her. Why do you think she feels that this story “chose” her? 

2.     How much research do you think Morris did to write this novel?  Does it feel more like a story to you than a piece of historical research?

3.     Morris reads and speaks Italian. Do you imagine that helped her with her research? Do you think she could have written the book without that knowledge? 

4.     The novel moves back and forth in time. Did you find that satisfying? Was it a challenge or confusing to you?

5.     Laura has an interesting profession, staging real estate for sale. Do you think that Morris picked this with intention? Does it work well to help build the story and Laura’s character?

6.     Laura held on to her mother’s paintings of the Red House. How do these paintings help with the story and deepen its mystery?

7.     Clearly this is a mother-daughter story as well as a historical novel. Do you feel that Laura’s quest to find her mother will help her heal?

8.     Do you think Laura and Patrick will work out the issues in their marriage or does their marriage feel doomed?

9.     It is said that sometimes the best way to learn the truth is to read fiction. The Red House is an actual place, yet Morris has taken liberties with some of its history for the sake of the story. How does this feel to you? 

10.  The historical part of The Red House involves revocation of citizenships, forced exile, and detention. While clearly this is a historical novel, how is it relevant to our current cultural moment?

Suggested Reading

 
JBC Network article by Mary Morris

https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/pb-daily/uncovering-buried-history-a-detention-center-on-the-outskirts-of-alberobello