Book Discussion Questions

 

Please be aware that this discussion guide contains spoilers.

 

  1. Hopwood DePree draws us into his story immediately by tugging at our heartstrings. The loss of his father and grandfather leads him to investigate his family history. Were you drawn in by his longing for a connection with his past? How do you feel about ancestral research and modern DNA ancestry sites?

 

  1. Hopwood seems to sincerely appreciate the people he meets and develops relationships with. Do you think he did a good job describing personalities and encounters with the people around him? Do you like his sense of humor? Did his writing style keep you interested?

 

  1. Hopwood mentioned that he would like to settle down, get married and have children. Are you interested to know whether or not he has found a life partner/wife?

 

  1. Does this book make you want to visit Hopwood Hall and other places in England?

 

  1. What do you think of the "ghost" photograph taken by his sister in the woods near the hall? Do you think that a good ghost story/haunting adds to the appeal of Hopwood Hall?

 

  1. What historical find connected with Hopwood Hall do you find most intriguing – the Lord Byron bed, the priest hole, the mysterious cabinet, the secret room, etc...?

 

  1. Would you read a sequel to Downton Shabby? Are you more interested in Hopwood’s restoration of his family home and its history or the cast of characters he encounters in the nearby village?

 

One Book Sponsors

 

One Book is sponsored by Montcalm Community College, the MCC Foundation and the public libraries of Montcalm County.

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