Featured Reading Guide
Ann-Marie MacDonald
Following the curves of the twentieth century, FALL ON YOUR KNEES takes us from haunted Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia through the battlefields of World War I into the emerging jazz scene in New York City, and immerses us in the lives of four unforgettable sisters. The children of a driven and ambitious father, the sisters -Kathleen, the oldest, a beautiful talent intent on a career as an opera diva; Frances, the drunken rogue and child prostitute; Lily, the pseudo-saint cripple; and Mercedes, the fervent Catholic and protector of the flock – are swept along by the tumult of events and of their…
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topAbout the Book
Following the curves of the twentieth century, FALL ON YOUR KNEES takes us from haunted Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia through the battlefields of World War I into the emerging jazz scene in New York City, and immerses us in the lives of four unforgettable sisters. The children of a driven and ambitious father, the sisters -Kathleen, the oldest, a beautiful talent intent on a career as an opera diva; Frances, the drunken rogue and child prostitute; Lily, the pseudo-saint cripple; and Mercedes, the fervent Catholic and protector of the flock – are swept along by the tumult of events and of their own desires. This is a story of family relationships, racial strife, miracles, attempted murder, birth and eath, and an extraordinary love affair.
topStarting Points for Discussion
- What do you take MacDonald to mean in her use of religion to shape the character of Mercedes, and what do you understand about Mercedes from the ways in which she chooses to respond to events?
- Frances manifests a particularly brittle variety of humour and resilience. Compare her responses to those of her sisters, mother and father. What do you consider Frances principal motivations to be, and to what use has the author put these, in the construction of the book.
- The book addresses several major themes of conflict in the 20 th Century – racial strife and inequality, sexuality, religious oppression and belief, poverty etc Is MacDonald successful in her integration of such powerful topics into this intimate family history?
- How do you interpret the visions and intuition of the sisters towards each other and what do you consider MacDonald is interested in exploring with this added dimensions to the story?
- What meaning do you interpret into the title of the book ‘Fall On Your Knees’? How do the chapter headings, along with the quotes and passages that preface each section of the book serve to enhance your reading?
- Do you think the real aspects of the novel – MacDonald’s powerful evocation of the trenches, for example – change the way in which we view the fictional lives she explores? Does the juxtaposition of history give more weight to the author’s intent?
Suggested Further Reading
- The Short History of a Prince ~ Jane Hamilton
- Open House ~ Elizabeth Berg
- Family Pictures ~ Sue Miller
- Middle Age ~ Joyce Carol Oates
- The Blind Assassin ~ Margaret Atwood