21. Excerpts from Heather Laurent's books are interspersed throughout the novel. Look closely at each excerpt and at what comes before and after. Discuss why you think these are included, and how they impact your reading based on where they appear. Is there a literal connection between what's happening in the story and what's happening in Heather Laurent's books, or is the connection more nuanced? Does one excerpt stand out to you more than the others?
22. Chris Bohjalian's readers know that his novels often address a significant social issue. Secrets of Eden tackles the tragedy of domestic violence. How did reading this novel influence your understanding of domestic violence?
23. Angels are a recurring image and a major theme in Secrets of Eden. Who sees them? When do they appear? How are they described? How do they affect each character differently? In the end, do the angels provide an image of hope?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHRIS BOHJALIAN is the author of twelve novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Double Bind, Skeletons at the Feast, and Midwives. His work has been translated into twenty-six languages. He lives in Vermont with his wife and daughter.
Visit him at www.chrisbohjalian.com.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright (c) 2010 by Chris Bohjalian
Reading Group Guide copyright (c) 2010 by Shaye Areheart Books, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.
All rights reserved.Published in the United States by Shaye Areheart Books, an imprint of the CrownPublishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.www.crownpublishing.com
Shaye Areheart Books with colophon is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bohjalian, Christopher A.Secrets of Eden: a novel / Chris Bohjalian.--1st ed.1. Murder victims--Fiction. 2. Murder victims' families--Fiction.3. Clergy--Fiction. 4. Psychological fiction. 5. Domestic abuse. I. Title.PS3552.O495S43 2010813'. 54--dc22 2009023946
eISBN: 978-0-307-58970-5
Title page and part title art courtesy of Kim Steele/Photodisc/Getty Images
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Secrets Of Eden (2010) Page 34