Book Club Discussion Questions
For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, A Short History of Sierra Leone and our BookBrowse Review of Ancestor Stones.
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
- In speaking of her marriage, Asana states I learned about womenhow we
are made into the women we become, how we shape ourselves, how we shape each
other (p. 107). Using this quote as a springboard, begin your discussion by
considering the central role of women in the patriarchal society portrayed
in the novel. Is their crucial role something of a paradox? What are some of
the specific roles that women undertake? Throughout the novel we learn much
about the complex hierarchical system of marriage. How do the women support
each other and how do they undermine one another? Note that the word Ores
means both co-wife and rival.
- At the beginning of the novel Abie returns to her childhood home of
Rofathane from London and strains to hear the voices of the past, but the
layers of years in between us were too many (p. 10). What does she mean by
this? What is Abies role in the novel? Do you find her to be a satisfying
and fully fleshed character? Are the stories of the four sisters perhaps
more accessible when filtered through Abie?
- When Abie reads the letter she states that it is written in English,
but the words, the sensibility, was
Africa (p. 8). How far could this statement apply to
the whole novel? Think about the story that Abie tells at the beginning of
the novel about different ways of seeing. Consider also cultural differences
between the West and the African society depicted.
📖
Get the full reading guide
Join BookBrowse free to unlock all 22 discussion questions, author background, themes, and more for Ancestor Stones.
Join free — it takes 30 seconds
Already a member? Log in →
- How does the author develop themes of identity and belonging throughout the narrative?
- What role does the setting play in shaping the characters' decisions and relationships?
- Discuss how the ending reframes the events of the story. Were you surprised?
Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Grove Press.
Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.