1.   Evelyn tries to protect her cousin but ends up further straining her relationships and putting herself in a precarious position. Do you think she could have done anything differently?

2.   Samuel suffers from a sensitivity to smells that he believes could ruin his dream to become a doctor. Later, he learns it could actually help him. Do you have an example of something else God ended up using for good?

3.   Evelyn longs for acceptance. How do you think this affected her actions?

4.   In the beginning Evelyn supports the Confederates, but in the end signs loyalty papers to the Union. Why do you think she made that change?

5.   Evelyn takes supplies from the Union camp and delivers them to the Confederate camp. Why do you think she did this? Were her actions justified or not?

6.   Southern thoughts and feelings on the war were often more complicated than most modern people realize. Other than slavery, what issues do you think concerned the non-slave owning population?

7.   Samuel entreats Evelyn to live at peace with everyone. By doing so, he equally cares for men from both sides. How might this same concept translate to your own daily experiences?

8.   Samuel adopts two children in order to help them. How do the children end up helping Samuel and Evelyn as well?

9.   The divide between Samuel and Evelyn at times seems impossible to span. Have you ever experienced a situation that seemed impossible to overcome?

10.   It’s your turn! Where do you think Evelyn and Samuel’s story goes from here? Where do you see them after the war is over?