Discussion Questions
1. Why does Luke leave his home to follow Lanny? Is his willingness to leave his life behind a sign of strength or of weakness? What would you have done if you were in Luke's position?
2. Do you think it was fair of Jonathan to ask Lanore to end his suffering? Did Lanore owe it to him? Do her actions in Maine absolve her of her long life of transgressions?
3. What separated Lanore from the other immortal members of Adair's court? Consider Alejandro, Tilde, Dona, Uzra, and their various stories of origin.
4. Discuss the evolution of Lanny's character, from a coy, young girl from the backwoods of Maine to a world-traveled, immortal hedonist. Is Luke destined to be just another fling, or is there something deeper to their budding love?
5. Do you believe that Lanny ever loved Adair? Why do you think she was so drawn to a scheming madman?
6. How did you react to the violent tendencies of the members of Adair's household? Consider Lanny's first night in the mansion, the abductions of the local Bostonians, and the bizarre sexual proclivities of the immortal house-goers. Do you believe there might have been a secret society of hedonists living in Boston during this period?
7. The traveling priest, later revealed to be a member of Adair's flock, recognizes a spiritual unease and some inherent wildness deep within Lanore's soul. Do you think he was right? Was Lanny, to some extent, wicked? How do you explain her actions in the chambers in Boston, or her initial involvement in Sophia's death? Are her choices that of someone trying to take control of her life or someone losing control of herself?
8. On her return trip to St. Andrew, Lanore encounters Magda, the town whore. Magda warns Lanore, "…don't fall in love with your gentleman. We women make our worst decisions when we are in love." Do you believe this to be true? Could Lanore have been saved from her complicated fate if she wasn't so in love with Jonathan? Why do you think Lanore was drawn to Magda in the first place?
9. Do you think Luke made the right decision in leaving St. Andrew behind for a life with Lanny in Paris? What of his obligations to his family? Do you agree with his decision regarding the fabled vial?
10. Were you surprised by Adair's true identity? Do you believe Lanny's plan to trap the physic worked?
11. After everything Lanny had told Luke about the fantastical and magical, do you think there was some greater significance to the vision of his mother momentarily rising from the dead?
12. The story's narrative unfolds in three different time periods, following three distinct characters. Which of the three was your favorite to read, and why? Who did you feel the most sympathy for?
13. Why do you think the author chose to title this book, The Taker? Are there multiple "takers" in the story? If so, who are they? What does Lanny take from Adair, Jonathan, and Luke? What does she give them?
14. Did Jonathan ever truly love Lanore? Did he have such a capacity? How would you characterize Lanny's feelings for Jonathan? Is it love or obsession?
15. At the heart of The Taker is a fairytale about a woman coming into her own. As Lanny eventually explains, alchemy is an effort to transform the person into something more pure, self-assured, and strong. Compare Lanny's story to other well-known fables, like Pinocchio, Snow White, Cinderella, or any of Aesop's valued lessons. What similarities do you see? What sort of classic temptations are placed before Lanore, and what is it that she ultimately takes away from her endless trial of self?
(Questions issued by publisher.)
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