When We Had Wings

In this sweeping story based on the true experiences of nurses dubbed "the Angels of Bataan," three women shift in and out of each other's lives through the darkest days of the war, buoyed by their unwavering friendship and distant dreams of liberation.

These book club questions were prepared by Bookclubs staff.

Book club questions for When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

The novel centers around the deep friendship between Penny, Eleanor, and Lita. What did you think of their bond? How did their friendship help sustain them through the horrors of war and imprisonment?

The authors blend fact and fiction in depicting the experiences of the "Angels of Bataan." Did you appreciate this approach? How did it impact your reading experience knowing parts were based on real events?

Each of the three friends has a painful backstory that influences their choices. Whose personal history resonated with you the most? How did their pasts shape their journeys?

Discuss the resilience and bravery of the nurse characters. Despite inhumane conditions, they continued caring for others. Where do you think they found their strength?

The novel exposes the cruelties inflicted on POWs, especially violations of the Geneva Convention. Were you surprised by the brutality depicted?

If you've read other WWII novels, how did this story distinguish itself? What new layers did it add to your understanding of the Pacific Theater?

This novel was co-written by three authors. How seamlessly were they able to blend their writing styles? Did you notice any distinct writing voices or tones?

The ending leaves room for imagining what happened next. What did you envision for Penny, Eleanor and Lita after the war? Were you satisfied with the open-endedness?

When We Had Wings Book Club Questions PDF

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