The Missing Pages

The power of grief is an important theme in The Missing Pages. Discuss how Eleanor and Violet both endure different shades of loss but also fi nd ways to channel their energy into healing.

How does this novel speak to the different shades of love: maternal, romantic, friendship, and eternal? How does loss impact those connected to Harry—from his mother, Ada, to even his mentor, Dr. Rosenbach?

Discuss how Harry’s pastime of collecting books is unique to him? What motivates him to purchase certain books above others? How do you see the act of collection? As something for personal fulfi llment or fi nancial investment? Or both?

The Titanic has been a source of mystery and interest for over a century. What draws people to this tragedy? What new information did you learn from reading the novel?

The power of legacy and the act of remembering are two important themes in The Missing Pages. What would you like your legacy to be? If you’ve lost someone, have you found a meaningful way to honor that individual?

How do the supernatural elements infl uence the narrative? Do you think Violet had to experience her own grief to be open to Harry’s communication?

The Missing Pages is described as a “ghost story, a love story, and a library story.” How do these genres intertwine, and what does each contribute to the overall impact and message of the novel?

Discuss the role of secrets and hidden truths in the novel. Harry, Ada, and Violet all keep certain aspects of their lives from others. What is the impact of these secrets on the characters and the plot?

How does the novel explore the themes of women’s roles in the early twentieth century, particularly within the world of books? Consider Ada’s career as a bookseller’s assistant and her ambitions to cultivate a market for female collectors, as well as Eleanor Widener’s monumental undertaking of building a library for her son.

Discuss Eleanor Widener as a character. How does her grief for Harry shape her decision to build the library? How does her character contrast or compare with Ada’s, particularly in connection to their shared love of books?