Join us for January Book Club!
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DATE:
Wednesday, January 12th @ 7:00p.m. Our next book will be the novel: The Beekeeper's Promise by Fiona Valpy This Book Club will be held on Wednesday, January 12th at 7:00p.m. We'll be having an in-person and a virtual option. Evite link for in-person attendance coming soon. A WebEx login will be provided via email prior to the event for anyone interested in attending virtually. For more information, please contact Reyna Downey, radowneyphd@gmail.com |
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A synopsis of:
The Beekeeper's Promise by Fiona Valpy
Heartbroken and hoping for a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job in rural France at the
Château Bellevue. The old château echoes with voices from the past, and soon Abi finds herself
drawn to one remarkable woman’s story, a story that could change the course of her
summer―and her life. In 1938, Eliane Martin tends beehives in the garden of the beautiful
Château Bellevue. In its shadow she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time,
daring to hope that a happy future awaits. But France’s eastern border is darkening under the
clouds of war, and history has other plans for Eliane…When she is separated from Mathieu in
the chaos of German occupation, Eliane makes the dangerous decision to join the Resistance and
fight for France’s liberty. But with no end to the war in sight, her loyalty to Mathieu is severely
tested.
The Beekeeper's Promise by Fiona Valpy
Heartbroken and hoping for a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job in rural France at the
Château Bellevue. The old château echoes with voices from the past, and soon Abi finds herself
drawn to one remarkable woman’s story, a story that could change the course of her
summer―and her life. In 1938, Eliane Martin tends beehives in the garden of the beautiful
Château Bellevue. In its shadow she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time,
daring to hope that a happy future awaits. But France’s eastern border is darkening under the
clouds of war, and history has other plans for Eliane…When she is separated from Mathieu in
the chaos of German occupation, Eliane makes the dangerous decision to join the Resistance and
fight for France’s liberty. But with no end to the war in sight, her loyalty to Mathieu is severely
tested.
Discussion questions for The Beekeeper's Promise:
1. Did you relate to any of the characters in the book? In what ways?
2. What were the overarching themes of the novel? How did they relate to each other and to the plot?
3. Are there any quotes, passages or scenes that you feel were central to the novel?
4. What do the bees symbolize in the story? Did you notice any other symbolism in the book?
5. Did the characters seem authentic? Which characters experienced growth and change, and which did not?
6. Do you have a new sense of perspective as a result of reading The Beekeeper’s Promise? What did you learn?
7. Both Eliane and Abi are forced to make difficult choices when they find themselves oppressed. What do you think their options were? How do you think you would have reacted in their positions?
8. Are you familiar with other works by this author? If so, how do they compare? If not, did you come away from this book wanting to read more?
2. What were the overarching themes of the novel? How did they relate to each other and to the plot?
3. Are there any quotes, passages or scenes that you feel were central to the novel?
4. What do the bees symbolize in the story? Did you notice any other symbolism in the book?
5. Did the characters seem authentic? Which characters experienced growth and change, and which did not?
6. Do you have a new sense of perspective as a result of reading The Beekeeper’s Promise? What did you learn?
7. Both Eliane and Abi are forced to make difficult choices when they find themselves oppressed. What do you think their options were? How do you think you would have reacted in their positions?
8. Are you familiar with other works by this author? If so, how do they compare? If not, did you come away from this book wanting to read more?
Take a look at the list of suggestions for future Book Clubs!
Previous Book Club selections:
December 2020 - Untamed by Glennon Doyle
January 2021 - Conviction by Denise Mina
February 2021 - What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
March 2021 - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
April 2021 - Little Broken Things by Nicole Baart
May 2021 - Someone We Know by
Shari Lapena
June 2021 - Long Bright Road by Liz Moore
July/August 2021 - The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
October 2021 - People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
November 2021 - Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty