Wild geese cover

Wild geese

by Mary Oliver

"Wild Geese" by Martha Ostenso is a haunting tale set against the harsh backdrop of the Canadian prairie during the early 20th century. The novel unfolds the tumultuous lives of the Gunnar family, led by the tyrannical Caleb and the sensitive, free-spirited Judith. When the brooding and mysterious Thorne Docherty enters their lives, he becomes the catalyst for a series of events that expose buried secrets, forbidden desires, and the unforgiving nature of the environment. Ostenso crafts a poignant narrative, exploring the tension between individual desires and societal expectations, painting a vivid portrait of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. "Wild Geese" is a timeless exploration of love, rebellion, and the untamed forces that shape our destinies.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?