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6. Given the title of the book, I'm sure that we will read much more about war in the coming chapters. Even in the first section, though, war has been a common theme throughout -- discussions at dinner parties, protests, death of friends, etc. How is OUR experience of war today different than what we have read? As a country? As individuals living in the US? As individuals living in other countries?

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5. What are your thoughts regarding the character Orfeo? Who is "the exalted one" that he so often speaks of, and what is "the blessed sap"?

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4. "Rafi was suited perfectly to the mountains, for when he was tested and worn down to practically nothing, his soul was unencumbered, and it rose, drawing him closer to where he wanted to be."

Have you ever felt this way about anything in your life?

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3. What do you think this quote means? (Alessandro speaking to Nicolo - pg 32 in my book)
"... You must understand that history arises as the interpretation and misinterpretation of passion."

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2. What do you make of Alessandro? What kind of person is he? Do you think you feel differently about him since we first meet him as an old man nearer the end of his journey, rather than being introduced to him as a young man?

A Soldier of the Great War

Hi girls - I don't really know what i'm doing with this whole blog thing... and my left side shift key doesn't work.... so sorry if there's weird capitalizations going on.

oh, and i've decided to try posting questions in individual blogs, so you'll have to do a new post to respond to each question. That way, if we only have time to respond to one, we can do that (fits better with my spurts of computer time, at least!). We'll see if it works... if not, please feel free to go back to the old formatting the next time around.

1. It seems from some of the recent emails going around, some of us have had rather vehement reactions to the book. What are your initial thoughts about Helprin's writing style, the characters, particular themes? Other general thoughts?