City of Night Birds Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, The Ballet Giselle and our BookBrowse Review of City of Night Birds.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. In the beginning of the novel Natalia says, "This was what love was, I thought—being able to forgive. But it was not happiness." Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not? What do you think happiness entails?
2. Natalia's mother is very against her decision to pursue professional ballet, as it comes with so much risk and uncertainty. Have you ever wanted to do something that goes against your family or what is expected of you?
3. Describe the relationship between Natalia and her mother in your own words.

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Ecco. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.