What was your overall impression of the book? What was your favourite part about it? 

Did the story challenge or inspire you? How? 

Who was your favourite character? Why?

Who was your favourite character? Which character did you most empathise with? 

What did you think were the main themes of the novel? Discuss.

What do you think the central conflict was?

The story took place between 1926 and 2000. How effective did you think this technique worked?

What was your favourite scene in the book? How did it make you feel?

What did you think of Anh and Khan's relationship? What would you have done? 

What do you think the use of the unnamed person the main character speaks to contributed to the story?

Did any passages strike you as insightful or profound? What did you learn from this story?

What did the title mean to you by the end of the novel?

Did you enjoy the time-shift aspect of the writing? What do you think the structure brought to your experience of the novel?

Vietnam is powerfully portrayed in this book, to the point that it becomes a main character. What did you learn about Vietnam and its history?

Sacrifice and duty are main themes for the main character, Anh, first to her father and then to her husband. What did you feel about how she behaved?

Refugees and immigration are topical issues today wherever there is war or countries in conflict. What are your thoughts on the current immigration policies in your country and do you agree with them?

The book could have ended in a number of different ways. Were you satisfied with the book's ending? 

What was the main thing you took away from the novel? What did you learn from it?