In the Shadow of the Sun King

Reading Guides

Reading Group Guide

1. What, if anything, do you know about your family heritage? Before reading In The Shadow Of The Sun King had you ever considered that your ancestors may have had to pay a costly price for the freedom you enjoy?
   
2. Name two ways in which you can relate to Madeleine and François. Name two ways in which you cannot.
   
3. What do you think was the most difficult obstacle Madeleine had to face? List in order of difficulty with 1 being the most difficult, 5 being the least challenging.
   
   • Her children's lives being in jeopardy
     
   • Not knowing whether her husband was dead or alive, perhaps having to endure tortuous, life-threatening conditions
     
   • Having to flee her country, losing her home and beginning a new life
     
   • Losing her mother
     
   • Confronting King Louis
     
4. How did you respond when Jean, of necessity, had to kill the dragoon in the barn? Were you shocked? What was your opinion of him after that? What about after he led the attack on the soldiers in the forest? Do you think Jean was ever able to recover emotionally from these two incidents?
   
5. What were your feelings toward King Louis as the story developed? Did you empathize with him at all?
   
6. Did you find yourself hoping Pierre would express his feelings to Madeleine? Why or why not?
   
7. Did you hope Pierre and Madeleine would end up together, or did you want Madeleine to remain faithful and reunite with François? Why or why not?
   
8. How do you think you would react in the face of outright persecution of your faith? What about if your family were in danger, and all you had to do to rescue them from that threat was to say, "I convert."?
   
9. Do you think King Louis truly cared for Madeleine? Why or why not?
   
10. Why do you think King Louis was so persistent in pursuing Madeleine?
    
11. Did you believe that Philippe was King Louis' son, or François' son? Give reasons for your opinion.
    
12. Do you think King Louis was sincere in his desire to convert the Huguenots or was he simply a tyrant?
    
13. What character traits in Madeleine do you most admire? With which character flaws do you identify?
    
14. Which scene was your favorite?