All the Broken Places

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Would you describe All the Broken Places as a novel about the Holocaust? About World War II? Why or why not?
• How would you characterize the novel’s overall mood? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
• Have you read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? If so, how does the sequel compare in terms of tone, themes, style, etc.? If you haven’t, do you feel that All the Broken Places functions as a stand-alone novel?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Given the novel’s subject matter, were there any parts you found particularly difficult to read? In retrospect, are you glad you stuck with the novel? If you’re someone who often reads novels that tackle challenging topics, what would you say “enjoying” a work means in that context?
• Did you find Gretel sympathetic, given her past? To what extent does she share responsibility for her family’s crimes and (ultimately) her brother’s death? Do you feel that atonement and redemption are possible in such circumstances? Why or why not?
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas sparked criticism for its portrayal of the Holocaust—in particular, its decision to center a gentile German boy. Do you feel that these criticisms have merit? If so, did they influence your reception of All the Broken Places? What responsibilities do authors have when depicting historical events (especially traumatic ones)?
• Gretel keeps her past a secret from most people. Do you think it’s possible to have a fulfilling life without being honest about who you are and where you come from? Why or why not?
• How do you feel about Greta killing Alex? Are her actions a justifiable way of protecting the innocent? A way of punishing herself? Is violence ever an acceptable response to violence? 

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• What does the novel suggest about the nature and causes of domestic abuse? Are readers meant to understand abuse as existing on a continuum with other forms of violence, including war and genocide? If so, do you feel this reflects the way different kinds of violence operate in the real world?
• In the novel, Marie Antoinette becomes a symbol of the fluidity of the oppressor/oppressed binary, as she goes from being a queen to a victim of the revolutionary regime. What other examples are there of once-powerful people or groups becoming marginalized/persecuted (or vice versa)?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• What role do the “Interlude” chapters play in the novel? Why does Boyne place them where he does?
• How would you characterize Greta’s narrative voice? Is she a reliable narrator? How can you tell?
• Consider Gretel’s attempts to reinvent herself through name changes and relocations. What narrative events underscore that she remains haunted by her past?
• Compare Gretel’s experience of motherhood to her relationship with her own mother. How do these relationships further the novel’s interest in cycles of trauma?
• The novel ends with Greta in prison. How does this turn of events develop the symbolism surrounding fences?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Imagine yourself as a biographer writing about Greta’s life. What questions would you ask her during an interview?
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas has been adapted for the screen. If you were making a movie based on All the Broken Places, which actors would you cast?

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