Prodigal Summer

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Kingsolver interweaves three seemingly independent storylines and gradually reveals connections among them throughout the novel. What did you find most effective or challenging about this narrative structure?

2. What aspects of the lush “prodigal summer” descriptions stood out to you most?

3. Kingsolver’s portrayal of nature as a powerful force is a recurring theme in her work. Discuss the similarities between the ecological themes in Prodigal Summer and her other novels, like Flight Behavior (which depicts how climate change affects monarch butterfly migration).

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

1. Deanna Wolfe finds solace and purpose in her isolation on Zebulon Mountain. Have you ever sought solitude in nature, and if so, what impact did it have on your perspective?

2. Which character’s connection to nature resonated with you most: Deanna’s connection with coyotes, Lusa’s with moths, or Garnett’s with chestnut trees?

3. When have you felt like an outsider in a close-knit community, similar to Lusa’s experience with the Widener family?