If the idea of needing some page-turning endurance in order to get to a glorious payoff isn’t intimidating, definitely give Tana French and her latest novel the proper chance they deserve. This Study Guide consists of approximately 35 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - For most of the novel, Toby stands by his belief that he’s a good person. His daughter? Trapped under “the vortex’s hold,” Toby’s descent into a pit of serious despair demonstrates the raw and painful reality that comes with a lack of agency. Hugo confessed to the killing of Dominic, but really it was Susanna and Leon. Discussion Questions The Witch Elm. Olivia? 3. When you finished the novel, how did you feel about these questions of culpability? Once the string from Toby’s hoodie is found inside of the tree, he becomes afraid that he was involved in Dominic’s death. He’s always had an easy go of things, able to talk himself out of any potential trouble or situation with his easy charm. Do you agree that he is lucky? How did you feel when you first encountered Toby at the beginning of the novel? The novel opens and closes with Toby telling the reader that he considers himself a lucky person. After the attack in his apartment, Toby notices that his mental capacities are impaired. The former is a legit complaint, t. Are you annoyed the rating came from an ARC or galley, or are you annoyed the rating is low for an author you like? The novel begins with Toby getting caught covering for his coworker Tiernan, who is pretending to be an underprivileged teen artist. Are there any other differences between the two versions besides the title on the cover. Was he protecting Toby, or Susanna and Leon? Great supplemental information for school essays and projects. I don't think there's plausible explanation for what is clearly just a plot device. His ex-wife? The narrator, Toby Hennessy, is also the main character. Since sustained brain injuries wipe out large chunks of his younger memories, Toby’s ignorance of the tortures that his cousins Susanna and Leon faced as teenagers seem genuinely excusable, but the parallels to society are eerily strong. I read The Witch Elm and was captivated by French’s style, the setting, and even with the unreliable narrator, so then I read In The Woods. Both Toby and Rafferty think Hugo was protecting Toby. Anyone know why the burglars took the 10 year old digital camera from Toby's flat? But here’s the same memory gap, inexplicable issue with the woman in his life, even a hollow tree mention. While a stereotypical description of Melissa’s untight, goody-goody husband Tom would normally trigger some eye rolls, the idea that “he brings out the irresistible urge to warn him about drop bears and dihydrogen monoxide” is simple and brilliant — quirky enough to make the reader laugh but observantly accurate enough to perfectly capture Tom’s stick-in-the-mud personality. The novel opens and closes with Toby telling the reader that he considers himself a lucky person. Toby, a publicist who has managed to get through life with the help of his handsome, charming smile, finds his luck has run dry as he is launched head-first into a high-stakes tale of familial tensions, disease, betrayal, suspicion, and murder. Waiting patiently for the release date so I can read this for myself, I feel it will be a great fall read, I hope I am not going to be disappointed? How does Hugo’s deterioration fit thematically with Toby’s own struggles with his mind? Toby has never really considered his, until now. Towards the end of the novel, Toby explains, “My own life blurred and smeared in front of my eyes; my outlines had been scrubbed out of existence,” possibly predicting current society’s unsettling fate in the midst of this massive wake-up call. Dominic had been sexually harassing Susannah for quite some time. I hate ratings of any sort from an ARC or galley, but I also hate when people argue someone's opinion of a book just because it doesn't jive with their opinion. In your opinion, what about that conversation was the final straw for her? On a sadder note, French’s portrayal of Toby’s helpless existence recuperating in the hospital also opens a window into the darker parts of the human psyche. 2. It is the same book, right? What was the impact of her murder on the neighborhood, including her own family and Frank's family? Please click. Do you agree that he is lucky? How did that affect the novel? 8. 1. What is the source of that feud, is it justified and how does Frank learn about it? He believes himself to be unreliable. The Witch Elm by Tana French is a 2018 Viking Books publication. When he says his luck is part of who he is, what do you think he means? How does that happen? Luck. This piece of information isn't revealed until nearly the end. The novel’s ending is charged with this electric energy, but unfortunately, the beginning lets the audience sit with their defenses lowered for far too long. Toby is relieved at having dodged serious consequences, and doesn’t think his lie was particularly important. 3. Study questions, project ideas and discussion topics based on important themes running throughout Faithful Place by Tana French. What is the most important theme of this book? Toby is a happy-go-lucky charmer who has dodged a scrape at work and is celebrating with friends when the night takes a turn that will change his life --- he surprises two burglars who beat him and leave him for dead. Do you believe her reasoning? Tana French is a terrific author; her previous books rate highly; every author can have a dud, but shouldn't the goodreads reviewer actually READ the book before giving it 2 stars?! Discussion Questions; Reading Guide (PDF) Features; The Witch Elm. I don't think there's plausible explanation for what is clearly just. Are you annoyed the rating came from an ARC or galley, or are you annoyed the rating is low for an author you like? Would the characters have different choices to make if the novel were set in America? Because Tana French needed a red herring. or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author. Theresa? I think I’m done with French, sadly, if these motifs recur in all her books. ISBN-13: 9780735224629 Summary Toby is a happy-go-lucky charmer who's dodged a scrape at work and is celebrating with friends when the night takes a turn that will change his life—he surprises two burglars who beat him and leave him for dead. List at least three examples of this theme and how it impacts the various characters. But then Susanna and Leon tell him about their struggles with Dominic in high school, and about how Toby failed to help them. How reliable a narrator did you find Toby? 'The Witch Elm' Starts Slow, Then Sucks You In Tana French's new standalone novel packs a lot of character and background information into the first … Do you agree that he is lucky? If you want to kiss up to an author, do it on their website, not a public book forum. Although none of her characters are radically unique or total diversions from the status quo, French still manages to avoid clichés or unoriginal tropes. Even though this novel is high-stakes and at some points thrilling, French never shies away from these specific, concrete details which ultimately intensify the colors of the image she’s trying to paint. Why do you think he suspects himself so quickly? I think I’m done with French, sadly, if these motifs recur in all her books by Tana French. 4. Want to keep up with breaking news? 6. Who is Cooper? Discussion Questions 1. It took me longer than my 3 week library loan period to read it, and I was home sick for all three weeks! You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with I am about half way and even getting to that was a struggle. Why do you think he does not tell her the full truth? Rather than focusing purely on who committed the crime, much of The Witch Elm examines how many people’s actions contributed to Dominic’s death. Clocking in at just over 450 pages, “The Witch Elm” has the wiggle room to fully develop its characters and construct a vivid, fully-imaginable world, but perhaps the novel stretches its limbs a little too far. And why they went through all his papers? Subscribe to our email newsletter. Susanna believes Hugo was oblivious to her actions during the summer Dominic was killed. The novel opens and closes with Toby telling the reader that he considers himself a lucky person. by Tana French. Do you agree with Susanna and Leon that his obliviousness carried a certain amount of culpability? Did their stories change your opinion of Toby? Can't figure out why it sometimes seems to be "The Witch Elm" and sometimes "The Wych Elm". Luckily, her gamble results in something timely and nuanced. Reader Q&A, Who is Frank Mackey? The author wants to put Toby into morally complex circumstances and this is how she did it. Imelda? Welcome back. Susanna states that Dominic’s harassment drove her to murder. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Faithful Place. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. What was the motivation behind her murder? If there’s any topic that has the ability to stir the pot in today’s boiling political climate, it’s the idea of entitled white men. Did you see Toby as a victim, an accessory, or something more complicated? Does anyone know why this book seems to have two names? His siblings? 5. We are now introducing CD retail packaging on our site, as well as additional changes. Has anyone noticed similarities with In The Woods? As the story progressed, did he absorb the significance of his lie? While Toby repeats how much he loves Melissa, he often hides things from her, including his physical and mental health problems and his fears about his role in Dominic’s murder. Of course, any book takes time to develop suspense, allowing the audience’s heart to pound in anticipation until they finally put their guard down just in time for the big, unsettling surprise. 4. We all have our favorite authors, but even a great author can write a piece of shit book, and giving high ratings for shit books just because you want to be seen as a loyal fan of said author is unfair to other Goodreads members. 12. The Witch Elm Tana French, 2018 Penguin Publishing 528 pp. This novel is set in and around Dublin. How and why was Rosie Daly killed? Did you see Toby as a victim, an accessory, or something more complicated? I found this scene entirely unrealistic, one of the many problems with the book. In Toby’s case, his sense of truth and reality start to crumble, turning a man with swagger and confidence into a helpless, sometimes hollow shell. I'd like to know how Goodreads allows someone to rate a book that won't be available for months! When he says his luck is part of who he is, what do you think he means? What was he thinking? 3. This may be a dumb question; but why are some versions of of this book called "The Witch Elm" and some "The Wych Elm"? [Why did Rafferty react so violently at the end? What is the role of each in Rosie's death and the investigation into her murder? I found this scene entirely unrealistic, one of the many problems with the book. And the true killer was easy to ID. Throughout the novel, Toby’s uncle Hugo is dying of brain cancer. Rather than focusing purely on who committed the crime, much of The Witch Elm examines how many people’s actions contributed to Dominic’s death.

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