The Book of Lost Friends

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Which timeline did you feel most engaged with, and why?

2. How does this book compare to others by this author, such as Shelterwood or Before We Were Yours? Do they have any elements in common? If this is your first experience reading Wingate, what other works or writers would you compare this novel to?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Several characters collect stories as a way to deal with real-life challenges. What role have stories played in your life in difficult times?

2. The novel presents maternal connection as an essential part of women’s identity. Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?

3. Did anything about the way racial tensions are presented in the novel surprise you? 

4. Consider the various ways heritage is portrayed in the novel. Did anything about this depiction resonate with your experience of your own heritage?