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1. Beneath a Scarlet Sky is a work of
historical fiction. As you were reading did you feel that the story was
authentic? Given that the truth about what actually happened to each
character is included at the end, talk about how Mark Sullivan crafted
an interesting story while also sticking to the facts.
2. Throughout the book, Sullivan describes horrific scenes filled with
human sacrifice, violence, bombings and ruthless executions. How well do
you think he captures the fear in the air? Does he strike the right
balance between page-turner and paying homage to the brutal truth?
3. At the beginning of Beneath a Scarlet Sky, bombs are dropped
on Milan, destroying sections of the city. At this point, Mr. Beltramini’s
grocery is saved. In talking to Pino Lella, Beltramini says, "If a
bomb’s coming at you, it’s coming at you. You can’t just go around
worrying about it. Just go on doing what you love, and go on enjoying
your life." What are your thoughts about his advice? Given what’s going
on in the world today, do you live in fear of terrorism or war? How do
you balance "enjoying your life" in spite of your fear?
4. If you or members of your book discussion group lived through World
War II, here or abroad, how do your recollections match the emotions
that you are reading here?
5. Father Re enlists Pino’s help to usher Italian Jews through the
mountains to Switzerland and to safety. Catholics and Jews clearly have
different belief systems. In today’s world, what do you think it would
take for a Christian to help, say, a Muslim in a similar manner in a
place of war? Do you think it’s possible for such an underground network
to exist today?
6. Mrs. Napolitano is a pregnant Italian Jew who successfully escapes
over the mountain pass in the dead of winter, in one of the most
dramatic passages om the book. She almost dies along the way. If you
were in her shoes, do you think you’d be brave enough to attempt the
trek? What does it mean to be brave in the face of death?
7. There is a moment when Colonel Rauff, the head of the Gestapo in
Milan, helps Father Re’s boys corral oxen into a pen. He enjoys himself
and almost seems…human. What do you think the author intended by
choosing to portray such an evil man in this light? Was it effective?
8. Just a few months shy of Pino’s 18th birthday, his father calls him
back to Milan and demands that he enlist instead of waiting to be
drafted. The catch? Enlisting with the Germans is safer. He is given a
choice and chooses to enlist. Knowing you’d have to work for the enemy,
what would you have done if you were in Pino’s shoes?
9. Almost by chance, Pino becomes the driver for one of the
highest-ranking German officers in Italy. It’s a chance for Pino to
become a spy, once again risking his life. If you were Pino, would you
take advantage of the opportunity, knowing it could put your family in
significant danger?
10. Pino’s best friend from childhood finds out that he’s a Nazi and
accuses him of being a traitor. Pino can’t, of course, tell him the
truth because it would put the mission in danger. What would it take for
you to make a similar sacrifice? Is there a cause for a "greater good"
that you’d risk anything for?
11. Anna catches Pino in the act of rifling through the Major General
Hans Leyers’ things. When he tells her the truth, she softens and they
kiss. What was your initial reaction during that scene? Did you trust
Anna? Why or why not? How did your gut feeling change as the novel
progressed? Do you think she deserved her fate?
12. After Pino and Major General Leyers are nearly killed by a British
fighter plane, Leyers opens up to Pino and shares a bit about his life.
Did this scene change the way you thought about him? Are people 100%
evil, or is it possible to find humanity or goodness in everyone?
13. Major General Leyers gives Pino advice: "Doing favors…they help
wondrously over the course of a lifetime. When you have done men favors,
when you look out for others so they can prosper, they owe you. With
each favor, you become stronger, more supported. It is a law of nature."
How does this statement inform Leyers’ character? Do you agree with this
statement? Is doing and receiving favors about "owing," or is it about
something else?
14. Major General Leyers saves four sick children from Platform 21…and
from death. Why do you think he does this? Out of the goodness of his
heart, or is it one of his favors?
15. When the Germans surrender, the Italians turn on each other and many
butcher each other to death, either for doing nothing or for being
friendly with the Germans. Are their actions justified? Or is this
violence just as condemnable?
16. Toward the end, Pino is given the chance to execute Major General
Leyers. He doesn’t take it. Why do you think that is? What would you
have done?
17. The ending is quite a shocker. Did you see it coming? Why or why
not?
18. In certain sections, particularly in conversations between
characters, Sullivan writes in a modern style. What effect, if any, does
this have on the story or your perception of events? Does he capture the
mood of the 1940s?
19. Sullivan provides information about what actually happened to the
characters in the novel. After completing the book and finding out their
destinies, did you feel each character got what they deserved?
20. In the preface, author Mark Sullivan admits to being suicidal the
night he came up with the idea for Beneath a Scarlet Sky. Did
that information have any impact on how you perceived the book?
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