The Paris Key
Page 35
2. When Genevieve moves to Paris, she leaves her comfort zone behind her. What do you feel is the hardest part about moving somewhere new? After reading The Paris Key, what do you think are the best and worst aspects of being forced out of one’s comfort zone?
3. Genevieve finds life in Paris slower than in the United States, with a greater emphasis on seemingly old-fashioned pursuits such as reading, cooking, and spending time in parks and museums. Do you think you would enjoy that sort of lifestyle? How do you feel you would adjust to the slow pace of life in France? Do any potential drawbacks come to mind?
4. Do you think tourists see famous cities differently than the residents? In what ways? Will the novelty of Paris wear off for Genevieve, or will she find a permanent home there? What from the story makes you feel that way?
5. Genevieve often wishes she could have known her mother as an adult. Do you think women are destined to become some version of their mothers? In what ways do you think Genevieve became like hers, and in what ways did she follow a different path?
6. Did her Paris experiences transform Genevieve into someone new—or did it make her a “better” version of herself?
7. Are there parts of Genevieve’s married life you can relate to? How about Angela’s life on the farm in Petaluma?
8. Do you enjoy a novel more when the heroine is someone a lot like you or someone very unlike you?
9. Do you think what Angela did was unforgivable? How do you think it related to her struggles with depression?
10. Throughout the book, Sylviane encourages Genevieve and helps her adjust to living in Paris. Do you think Genevieve would have made the same choices without Sylviane’s support? Do you have someone like this in your life? When have you been most grateful for his or her point of view?
11. Would you have gone down to explore the catacombs, despite the warnings to steer clear? Do you think the catacombs serve as a metaphor in the novel, and if so, in what ways?
12. Does it really matter who Genevieve’s biological father was? Do you think Jim knew the truth? What about Dave? If Angela had lived, do you think she would have told Genevieve when she was old enough to understand?
13. What do you think are the most powerful uses of symbolism in The Paris Key? Do you agree with Catharine that the fable of “Fitcher’s Bird” was relevant to Genevieve’s experiences?
14. An important turning point in the book comes about when Genevieve has a realization: “Genevieve feared she kept her mother’s ghost alive, kept it strapped to her back like a proverbial monkey.” Do you think Genevieve would have been able to release her mother’s ghost if she hadn’t come to Paris?
Photo © Joseph Schell Photography
Juliet Blackwell was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, the youngest child of a jet pilot and an editor. She graduated with a degree in Latin American studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and went on to earn master’s degrees in anthropology and social work. While in graduate school, she published several articles based on her research with immigrant families from Mexico and Vietnam, as well as one full-length translation: Miguel León-Portilla’s seminal work, Endangered Cultures. Juliet taught medical anthropology at SUNY-Albany, was producer for a BBC documentary, and worked as an elementary school social worker. Upon her return to California, she became a professional artist and ran her own decorative painting and design studio for more than a decade. In addition to mainstream novels, Juliet pens the New York Times bestselling Witchcraft Mysteries and the Haunted Home Renovation series. As Hailey Lind she wrote the Agatha Award–nominated Art Lover’s Mystery series. She makes her home in northern California, but spends as much time as possible in Europe and Latin America.
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