Homecoming

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and child death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you feel about the dual timeline structure and how the past and present narratives intersected? If you’ve read other novels by Kate Morton (e.g., The Forgotten Garden, The Clockmaker’s Daughter, etc.), how did the structure of this one compare?

2. Did you make any predictions about the mystery as you read? Were your theories correct?

3. Discuss how Morton’s descriptions of the distinctive Australian landscape. Did you find these descriptions compelling and/or useful?

4. Morton’s novel has been compared to an Australian classic, Picnic at Hanging Rock, another missing child story. Have you read Lindsay’s novel? If so, what do you make of the comparison?

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

1. Have you ever uncovered a surprising family story or secret? How did it affect your understanding of your family history?

2. Reflect on the novel’s exploration of the meaning of home. What does the word “home” mean to you? Is it a physical place, the people you are with, or something else?