'People of the Book' by Geraldine Brooks - Book Club Discussion Questions

In People of the Book, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Geraldine Brooks presents a fictional history of the Sarajevo Haggadah. People of the Book is a set of stories about the book's survival, woven together through the story of a conservationist who is trying to unlock the mysteries of the book in the mid-1990s. Use these book club discussion questions to delve into People of the Book with your reading group.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Finish the book before reading on.

1. In what ways is the Sarajevo Haggadah symbolic of the plight of the Jewish people over the years?

2. Which of the stories in People of the Book did you find most compelling? Was it a believable history of the Sarajevo Haggadah?

3. Do you think the different chapters, which told different stories, hung together well? Did you like how Brooks revisited Lola's story in the end?

4. Did you connect with Hanna? Did you find her relationships with her mother and Orzen believable? What did they add to the overall story?

5. Why do you think Lola ultimately decided to move to Palestine?

6. Why do you think Father Vistorini saved the Haggadah in the end?

7. Were you surprised by Ruth's boldness? Why don't you think her mother and father realized the depth of her spirituality and courage?

8. Hanna's mother justifies her poor parenting through her feminist ideals. How did you see women's situation change over the years? Do you think Hanna's mothers attitude was necessary to bring about permanent change for women?

9. Was Nura's decision to give Al-Mora to the doctor selfish or a way of looking out for her friend?

10. Do you think the suspenseful ending fit with the rest of the book? Were you surprised by what happened? If you were Hanna, would you have forgiven Orzen?

11. Rate People of the Book on a scale of 1 to 5.