We Need No Wings

The beginning of the story shows our main character, Tere, levitating for the first time. How does she react to this event? What would you do if you started levitating, and do you think you would handle it differently?

After the loss of her husband, Tere finds herself not only stricken with grief but also struggling to be the person she once was. How do Tere’s roles as a wife, mother, professor, and friend evolve throughout the novel? Then, think about a loss you’ve experi- enced, and share how that might have changed you and the roles you play in your life.

Tere’s journey begins when she makes the decision to travel to Ávila. What does she hope to find while there, and after reading the story, do you think she was successful? If you could travel anywhere in the world to find yourself, where would it be?

Tere is extremely proud of both her Puerto Rican and Spanish heritages, and much of the narrative focuses on her relationship with that part of her identity. What are ways in which Tere reconnects with her culture throughout the story? Why is that important for her?

Tere is not only a distant descendant of Saint Teresa of Ávila but also shares her gift—levitation. Describe how Tere and Saint Teresa’s lives and roles as women are similar, despite being hundreds of years apart. How did this connection between these two characters make you feel?

The theme of grief permeates throughout the novel. How is grief portrayed in the story? Are there any elements you found you could relate to?

Describe the ways mysticism and belief play roles in the story. How does Tere’s belief and acceptance in her own abilities change, and how does that affect the ways she views the world and other women? Though this is a speculative piece of fiction, are there any elements of mysticism you believe in or find interesting?

Tere meets many people in Ávila as she seeks the answer to her levitation problem. How did each of the characters impact Tere and her character growth? Was there a secondary character you connected to the most?

Why does Tere bury the relic of Saint Teresa, and how was that pivotal to her overall character development? How did this event make you feel?

Tere is straddled between two worlds: her old life as a professor who isn’t appreciated for her work, and the life of a woman who is just now learning to spread her wings. How do these two worlds come together in the end, and what choice does Tere make for how she will live her life moving forward? Have you ever felt like you’ve had to make a choice like Tere’s? If so, what was that experience like?