Discussion Questions

Mr. Hammond refers to his daughter by various endearments ( kaddu , pumpion, etc.) that all translate to “pumpkin.” Did you have a childhood nickname? Or do you use any special endearments for your loved ones?

Claire responds to an advertisement (based on a historical newspaper ad) that read: Wanted as partner in a genteel boarding house, a respectable female who could advance from ￡50 to ￡100. . . . Would you have been brave enough (or foolish enough, depending on your viewpoint) to respond to such an ad? Why or why not?

Claire’s past mistake elicits different responses from different characters (understanding, regret, gossip, censure). How did you feel about the condemnation Claire faces? Was it difficult to keep in mind how attitudes toward (and the importance of) a woman’s virtue have changed over the last two hundred years? Also, did you recognize any nods to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (e.g . , Mrs. Harding telling Mrs. Summers to “throw off your unworthy child from your affection forever” is reminiscent of the letter Mr. Collins sends to the Bennets after Lydia runs off with Wickham)?

In the novel, characters also react differently (some positively, some negatively) to those with origins, languages, and styles of dress different from their own. Do we see similar variations in how people treat those from other cultures today?

Did you find Mr. Hammond’s former profession interesting? Did you understand his reasons for not talking about his past?

Mr. Hammond speaks a few different languages. Do you speak more than one language as well? Which languages have you studied, or would you like to study, and why?

Did you have a favorite chapter quote (epigraph), or did you learn anything new about this time period by reading the book?

Were you surprised by any of Aunt Mercer’s actions? Did you warm toward her at all by the end of the book?

Sonali, too, starts out as a prickly character. Did you come to understand her or feel any sympathy for her by the end?

Sarah’s story continues into the final book in the series, A Sea View Christmas. Are you looking forward to reading more about her and her romantic interest? Any predictions for the series’ conclusion and Sarah’s happily-ever-after?