1. Discuss Jessica Radford's fear of the Colt .44 weapon she owned. Is this compatible with her characterization as a free-thinking, independent woman who was not afraid of doing chores men would normally do?

2. How do you think Jessica felt about Matt Lightfoot when she returned home from college? Did that feeling change later, and if so, how?

3. Did you feel the slave girl Nellie showed signs of unusual insight into human character? Explain.

4. Who was Sissy before she became an angel and what lesson did she want to impart to Jessica?

5. How did the experience of the war change Jessica? How did it change Matt?

6. What did you find unusual about the character of Roger Toby? What were the similarities and differences with his twin brother Sam?

7. What event was the singular turning point in Jessica's life? Why?

8. Tinker, Ishmael, Lazarus, and Devin were all black soldiers. Were they essentially the same or quite different from one another? For which of these four did you feel the greatest sympathy? Which one surprised you the most?

9. Of all the characters mentioned in the book, which one did you admire the most, and why?

10. Name two scenes in the book where you were surprised by the sense of compassion a character emoted. Why were you surprised?