Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean - Book Club Discussion Questions

Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean tells the story of Marina, a young woman enduring the siege of Leningrad during World War II. Years later, as she begins to suffer from Alzheimer’s, her adult daughter struggles to understand her mother’s experiences during the war. Use these book club discussion questions on Madonnas of Leningrad to lead your book club into this stunning novel.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions on Madonnas of Leningrad reveal important details about the novel. Finish the book before reading on.

1. Memory plays an important role in Madonnas of Leningrad. In what ways does the structure of the novel mirror the ways memory works?

2. How does memory help Marina and others cope during the siege of Leningrad?

3. As Marina's memory deteriorates in old age, how does it shape her experience of the world and interactions with life?

4. Are there any paintings you could describe in the same loving detail that Marina describes the paintings of the Hermitage?

5. How does the novel treat art? Is there survival value in art?

6. What do you make of the god-figure Marina saw on the rooftop? Do you believe he’s really Andre’s father?

7. Did your parents tell you any stories about the difficulties of their lives? Did they suffer any wartime hardships the way Marina and Dmitri did?

8. Is the way Madonnas of Leningrad depicts World War II similar or different from other books your have read about the war?

9. Rate Madonnas of Leningrad on a scale of 1 to 5.