A heart-stopping historical adventure to read with your book club.
In Fiona McIntosh's new book, The Fallen Woman, Jane Saville’s manipulative mother banishes her to the English countryside, forcing Jane to live a secretive life to save the family from public shame. Meanwhile, Guy Attwood, heir to a fortune prefers rare-apple hunting over building the family’s business empire.
Soon, Jane and Guy’s paths cross, reminding them both that our greatest strengths are often born from our darkest hours.
Discussion points and questions
- Do you think Jane Saville really is a ‘fallen’ woman – or a fortunate one?
- Discuss the different ways in which Jane and Guy respond to their familial duties.
- In the eyes of ‘society’, Jane and Guy might seem an unlikely couple, but in what ways do they make an ideal match?
- ‘Truly, what more could a boy wish for?’ Despite the obvious hardships Harry has faced in his young life, William believes him to be an extremely blessed child. Do you share this view?
- ‘For me to give entirely of myself, I would need so much more in a person than how they look or sound, or their station in life.’ How is this comment from Jane reflected in her relationships?
- What is your view of Eleanor? Is she a victim or a villain?
- In what ways has William been Jane’s ‘guardian angel’, and in what ways is she entirely responsible for her own fate?
- Discuss the significance and symbolism of the apple in this novel.
- Do you have any sympathy at all for Charlotte’s actions? Why or why not?
- What did you make of Guy’s gift for the King?
- Who would you cast in a film of The Fallen Woman?
- Fiona McIntosh writes across a wide range of genres. Have you read any others, and if so, how do they compare?
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