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Posted on 30th March, 2024 in For Educators, For Readers, Of Stone and Sky

Book Group Questions for Of Stone and Sky

When Of Stone and Sky won Book of the Year at the Bookmark Festival in 2021, the primary criteria was a book that works well for Book Groups. I consider that a huge compliment. People have often asked for a set of discussion questions, so here are some to choose from. Don’t let them feel like an English assignment, though, just starting points for your own questions and ideas. Thank you for reading my book – I hope these are fun for you as you share together.

  1. In a book of many characters, who were your favourites and why? Who were not?
  2. What did you make of the two primary narrative points of view: Mo, as overall storyteller, and Sorley, in ‘confessional’.
  3. It is often observed that Of Stone and Sky does not give the shortbread tin romanticised vision of Highland life. Did it feel like a truthful depiction to you and what created that?
  4. The novel spans a long period of history, focused through one family. Why was the backstory important and how well was this captured?
  5. In what ways are the land, the weather and the wildlife integral to the novel?
  6. How did the novel explore the relationship between people and place, especially the complexities around land ownership, land use, regeneration, ecology and economy?
  7. How does the novel explore themes of belonging and entitlement, to both family and land?
  8. What was the purpose of the 12 ‘Signs’ of Colvin’s possessions and how effective was this for you?
  9. There are strong spiritual and religious threads running through the book. How are these unfolded and how did they land with you?
  10. How did the language of the novel strike you?
  11. What scene stands out as most memorable for you?
  12. What did you think of the ending?

You might also like to look at the Character List, the Reviews & Features and the Background Reading underpinning Of Stone and Sky.

If your group would welcome the author Zooming in for a bit to say hello, get in touch and I’ll come if I can. In any event, do send me a photo of your group holding up copies! And any sharing of photos on line, reviews and recommendations are hugely appreciated. Thank you!