Book Club Discussion Guide for Volume 2 Fate of the Saracen Knight
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Here are a few questions to help stimulate conversation for reading clubs who are reading Fate of the Saracen Knight. If you would like to schedule a time for the author to join your club by Zoom, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
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1. This story not only has war, but features many tragic romantic relationships. Think about how women had no control over marital partners and how dangerous it could have been. Consider the cases of Fiordespina and Doralice.
2. Infidelity is a recurrent theme in this story. We see examples of women being expected to ignore their husband’s indiscretions, but men (such as Rodomont, Ferrand, Giacondo, and Astolfo) seek revenge against unfaithful wives. Discuss how constraining this double standard would have been and if it still exists today.
3. Other examples of unfortunate love stories abound in this novel such as Costanza of Palermo being betrayed and later abandoned; King Senapo’s closed heart; Lydia’s rejection of Alceste; Richardet and Fiordespina’s clandestine relationship. Discuss the differences and similarities of these unhappy love stories.
4. There are many examples of discord between famed warriors in Akramont’s campaign. Is there one you feel is more important than the others and one so trivial the warriors should have “gotten over it” and not want to fight to the death?
5. Doralice was allowed to make a life changing decision. Did you expect what would happen? How would her life have been different had she made a different choice?
6. Bradamante is filled with despair at the beginning of this story, thinking that all is lost. At the cliffhanger ending she has a different outlook. Discuss the difference in her attitude.
7. Ruggiero apparently did not realize he was the subject of a prophecy until Akramont announced it to the Muslim army outside of Paris. Try imagining how he felt about that revelation.
8. The prophecy described by the enchantress Melissa had dire consequences for the Frankish empire, yet the outcome of the planned duel would only cede a small portion of land to the Muslim army. What might be the broader implications to the concept if destiny is not pre-ordained and can be changed by free will?
9. We finally learned how Ruggiero’s parents met and fell in love. Reactions?
10. Did your feelings change about the characters of Clarice and Beatrice during the course of this novel? Did you find them more sympathetic as you learned about infidelities by their respective husbands?
2. Infidelity is a recurrent theme in this story. We see examples of women being expected to ignore their husband’s indiscretions, but men (such as Rodomont, Ferrand, Giacondo, and Astolfo) seek revenge against unfaithful wives. Discuss how constraining this double standard would have been and if it still exists today.
3. Other examples of unfortunate love stories abound in this novel such as Costanza of Palermo being betrayed and later abandoned; King Senapo’s closed heart; Lydia’s rejection of Alceste; Richardet and Fiordespina’s clandestine relationship. Discuss the differences and similarities of these unhappy love stories.
4. There are many examples of discord between famed warriors in Akramont’s campaign. Is there one you feel is more important than the others and one so trivial the warriors should have “gotten over it” and not want to fight to the death?
5. Doralice was allowed to make a life changing decision. Did you expect what would happen? How would her life have been different had she made a different choice?
6. Bradamante is filled with despair at the beginning of this story, thinking that all is lost. At the cliffhanger ending she has a different outlook. Discuss the difference in her attitude.
7. Ruggiero apparently did not realize he was the subject of a prophecy until Akramont announced it to the Muslim army outside of Paris. Try imagining how he felt about that revelation.
8. The prophecy described by the enchantress Melissa had dire consequences for the Frankish empire, yet the outcome of the planned duel would only cede a small portion of land to the Muslim army. What might be the broader implications to the concept if destiny is not pre-ordained and can be changed by free will?
9. We finally learned how Ruggiero’s parents met and fell in love. Reactions?
10. Did your feelings change about the characters of Clarice and Beatrice during the course of this novel? Did you find them more sympathetic as you learned about infidelities by their respective husbands?