A Fall of Marigolds

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Meissner structures A Fall of Marigolds as parallel stories set 100 years apart, connected by a single scarf. How effective did you find this approach in exploring grief across different historical contexts? What emotions did it evoke for you?

2. Both Clara and Taryn believe they bear responsibility for the deaths of people they loved. Which aspects of their emotional processing resonated with you most?

3. How does A Fall of Marigolds compare to other historical fiction that interweaves major historical events with personal stories? If you’ve read Meissner’s other novels such as The Last Year of the War or As Bright as Heaven, what similarities or differences do you notice in how she explores tragedy and resilience?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Clara and Taryn both find themselves in “in-between” places after their losses—Clara literally on Ellis Island and Taryn emotionally suspended between past and future. What insights about navigating life’s transitional periods did you gain from their different approaches to moving forward?