City of Night Birds

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?

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?

Describe the relationship between Natalia and her mother in your own words.

On page 81, Natalia says, “Everything becomes more powerful when it isn’t told. Fears, sadness, desires, dreams.” Do you agree?

“I find trees are similar to people,” Alexey says. “You hardly ever grow from being matched up with someone exactly like yourself. Best partnerships—in life, in dance— are born from two distinct forces coming together.” Have you ever had an experience where the unlikeliest of people had a profound effect on your life?

“No matter how great a work of art is, it comes to an end. In fact, in order to be great, it must end.” What do you think this means?

Natalia is deeply in love with ballet and specifically the ways it allows her to transcend to something beyond her wildest dreams. As a child she longs to dance in revered ballets like Don Quixote and Giselle. What is a piece of art you have come to admire, and what are its qualities that distinguish it from the rest?

All the dancers within the novel are concerned with reaching the highest level of talent possible, which often leaves them in deep physical and emotional pain. What do you think are important qualities for art to have besides chasing perfection?

On page 157, Natalia says, “In art and in life, nobility is always doing all that one is responsible for, and then even more.” What do you think makes a life worth living? What other qualities do you think makes someone noble?

Léon inscribes a message to Natalia on a photo: she flies with her own wings. How does Natalia learn to fly at the end of the novel?