Discuss The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

May. 28, 2021
by rosalynh

Eva and her mother react very differently to the news that Tatuś had been sent to Auschwitz. What do their reactions reveal about them as characters? Is a right way or a wrong way to react to such news?

May. 21, 2021
by laurief

How do your opinions of Mamusia and her reaction to Eva's work as a forger change? Do you believe Joseph when he tells Eva that Mamusia said she was proud of the work Eva did to help keep children from being erased?

May. 22, 2021
by Tired Bookreader

"The path of life is darkest when we choose to walk it alone." Do you agree with this? Discuss the moments in the novel when Eva decides to go it alone and compare them to the moments when she trusts others.

May. 24, 2021
by Gabi

What does the selflessness present in so many in Aurignon say about the human capacity for goodness in times of crisis? Do you see that same capacity today?

May. 24, 2021
by linz

Was any of Eva's trust misplaced? Were there any red flags about those they should not have trusted?

May. 24, 2021
by Patricia Ann

Eva believed that Rémy went to his grave not knowing how she felt about him. Do you think Rémy ever thought that Eva had given up on him? If they had found each other, would they have made it as a couple?

May. 24, 2021
by Patricia Ann

Who underestimates Eva? Have you felt there are those who’ve underestimated you? If so, who, and in what ways?

May. 25, 2021
by caroln

Discuss “Evil doesn’t live here anymore…You can’t judge a person by their language or their place of origin – though it seems that each new generation insists upon learning that lesson for itself.”

May. 25, 2021
by LeahLovesBooks

Was moving on and trying to forget Rémy the right decision for Eva? Did Tatuś give Eva sound advice in telling her to start living her own life? Would you have moved to the US with Louis?

May. 30, 2021
by loisk

How would you define the main characters in the book? Do their religions or countries play into who they are as people? Do you think they can truly be separated from their backgrounds?

May. 31, 2021
by jeannew

"You don't need money or weapons or a big platform to change the world. Sometimes, something as simple as a pen and a bit of imagination can alter the course of history." Who in real life do you think best exemplifies this sentiment?

May. 31, 2021
by jeannew

What were your feelings about the ending? (Spoiler alert)

Jun. 04, 2021
by cynthial

Was anyone curious about how these forgers made the documents look so authentic?

Jun. 04, 2021
by Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

Do you think Eva was right to keep quiet the night her father was taken? What would you have done? What did Eva's decision reveal about her character and what she might accomplish later?

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Were you surprised to find out that Joseph was the one who betrayed the network? Why do you think the author decided Joseph would be the traitor? What would you have done in Joseph's position?

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Overall, what do you think of The Book of Lost Names? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Eva states, “One’s reward for marching through the decades is a gradual process of erasure.” What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Did you feel sympathetic toward Mamusia, or did you grow irritated by her inability to understand Eva's drive to help others? Who or what do you believe is responsible for the growing hostility in their relationship?

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Was anyone able to figure out the code they used?

Jun. 13, 2021
by Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

Joseph leads Mamusia to believe her husband will be fine. Eva disapproves of such false hope, but Joseph is unapologetic. Would you rather have false hope or hear the truth?

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Why do you think Eva kept her past from her son? Is there anyone who you feel knows the "real you"? Who do you think should know you, but really doesn’t?

Jun. 13, 2021
by gaylamath

Opening Pages

Jun. 13, 2021
by Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

Observing the officers in Drancy Eva wonders, "Could they all be that evil? Or had they discovered a switch within themselves that allowed them to turn off their civility?" What do you think?

Jun. 14, 2021
by Gabi

How did Eva's love of books help her at different points? What were some of your favorite books as a child? When did you first realize the power of books? What book made you fall in love with reading?

Jun. 14, 2021
by Gabi

How do you think Eva's past affected the way she raised her son? How are children of Jewish survivors affected by their parents' pasts? Can a parents' trauma and/or resilience to be passed down to the children?

Jun. 29, 2021
by caroln

The Book of Lost Names

Discuss The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

A Q&A with Kristin Harmel

Eva and her mother react very differently to the news that Tatuś had been sent to Auschwitz. What do their reactions reveal about them as characters? Is a right way or a wrong way to react to such news?

How do your opinions of Mamusia and her reaction to Eva's work as a forger change? Do you believe Joseph when he tells Eva that Mamusia said she was proud of the work Eva did to help keep children from being erased?

"The path of life is darkest when we choose to walk it alone." Do you agree with this? Discuss the moments in the novel when Eva decides to go it alone and compare them to the moments when she trusts others.

What does the selflessness present in so many in Aurignon say about the human capacity for goodness in times of crisis? Do you see that same capacity today?

Was any of Eva's trust misplaced? Were there any red flags about those they should not have trusted?

Eva believed that Rémy went to his grave not knowing how she felt about him. Do you think Rémy ever thought that Eva had given up on him? If they had found each other, would they have made it as a couple?

Who underestimates Eva? Have you felt there are those who’ve underestimated you? If so, who, and in what ways?

Discuss “Evil doesn’t live here anymore…You can’t judge a person by their language or their place of origin – though it seems that each new generation insists upon learning that lesson for itself.”

Was moving on and trying to forget Rémy the right decision for Eva? Did Tatuś give Eva sound advice in telling her to start living her own life? Would you have moved to the US with Louis?

How would you define the main characters in the book? Do their religions or countries play into who they are as people? Do you think they can truly be separated from their backgrounds?

"You don't need money or weapons or a big platform to change the world. Sometimes, something as simple as a pen and a bit of imagination can alter the course of history." Who in real life do you think best exemplifies this sentiment?

What were your feelings about the ending? (Spoiler alert)

Was anyone curious about how these forgers made the documents look so authentic?

Do you think Eva was right to keep quiet the night her father was taken? What would you have done? What did Eva's decision reveal about her character and what she might accomplish later?

Were you surprised to find out that Joseph was the one who betrayed the network? Why do you think the author decided Joseph would be the traitor? What would you have done in Joseph's position?

Overall, what do you think of The Book of Lost Names? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Eva states, “One’s reward for marching through the decades is a gradual process of erasure.” What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

Did you feel sympathetic toward Mamusia, or did you grow irritated by her inability to understand Eva's drive to help others? Who or what do you believe is responsible for the growing hostility in their relationship?

Was anyone able to figure out the code they used?

Joseph leads Mamusia to believe her husband will be fine. Eva disapproves of such false hope, but Joseph is unapologetic. Would you rather have false hope or hear the truth?

Why do you think Eva kept her past from her son? Is there anyone who you feel knows the "real you"? Who do you think should know you, but really doesn’t?

Opening Pages

Observing the officers in Drancy Eva wonders, "Could they all be that evil? Or had they discovered a switch within themselves that allowed them to turn off their civility?" What do you think?

How did Eva's love of books help her at different points? What were some of your favorite books as a child? When did you first realize the power of books? What book made you fall in love with reading?

How do you think Eva's past affected the way she raised her son? How are children of Jewish survivors affected by their parents' pasts? Can a parents' trauma and/or resilience to be passed down to the children?

Sorry, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Discuss The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Sorry, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.