About This Book
Madeleine L'Engle's "The Other Side of the Sun" introduces Stella, a young woman who marries into the enigmatic Renier family in post-Civil War Georgia. Left alone at their sprawling estate, Illyria, Stella quickly realizes her new family harbors deep, unsettling secrets, fueled by greed, prejudice, and superstition. This novel explores Stella's journey of uncovering a hidden darkness and her fight for survival and truth in a world far more complex and dangerous than she ever imagined. It's a compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and a subtle exploration of good versus evil, suitable for mature young adult readers.
L'Engle at her best, this novel features Stella, who marries into the aristocratic Renier family and discovers a frightening world of intrigue, greed, prejudice, and superstition. Soon drawn into a raging battle between good and evil, Stella must fight her way through to find the other side of the sun.
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Discussion Prompts
1
How does Stella's initial innocence contrast with the Renier family's secrets?
2
What forms of prejudice are explored in the book, and how do characters react to them?
3
Discuss the 'battle between good and evil' in the story. Is it clear-cut, or are there shades of gray?
4
How does Stella change and grow throughout her experience with the Renier family?
5
What role does the setting of Illyria and post-Civil War Georgia play in the story's atmosphere and themes?
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