Introduction

If the outside world is wrong why does it feel so right? For as long as she can remember, Gabrielle Hope has been plagued by a troubling secret. When she and her mother joined the Harmony Hill Shaker community in 1807, they were content. But now a local doctor has been brought in to save the life of a young man and Gabrielle is suddenly questioning her loyalty to the Shakers. As she falls deeper into a forbidden love with this man of the world, Gabrielle must choose between the acceptance of her people and the unknown world beyond the woods. Can she experience true happiness in this simple and chaste community? Or will she abandon her brothers and sisters?

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Excerpt

JANUARY 1812
CHAPTER 1

            The harsh clang of the meetinghouse bell shattered the peace of the night.  At the sound, Gabrielle jerked upright in her narrow bed.  She had not been asleep, but instead had been lying very still with her eyes wide open staring out at the grainy darkness and listening to the soft breathing of the sleeping girls around her.  She had matched her own breaths with theirs in hopes of bringing quiet harmony back to her thoughts, but the gift of knowing kept nipping at the corners of her mind.  Visions of men with blackened faces, corn melting, and shadows of the world flitting among the trees had troubled her thoughts all day, but it was all too vague for understanding.  All she knew for sure was the sense of dread awake and growing inside her. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Gabrielle Hope adjusted easily to the Shaker way of life, closed off from the outside world. Why do you think she found it so easy to acclimate to their community? Do you think her upbringing had anything to do with it? Would you be able to adjust as easily?

2. Nathan Bates states early in the story that he does not intend to stay within the Shaker community much longer. What makes him so certain he does not belong there when Gabrielle seems so certain she does? What do you see as the crucial difference between these two characters?

3. Doctor Brice Scott indicates that his patients think his cures are very unusual and some of them even call him, “devil doctor.” How do you think Brice's past helps him to understand the different ways of the Shakers? How does it hurt him in interacting with their community? What similarities (if any) do you see between him and the Shakers?

4. Brice loses his faith at a young age when his first wife passes away. In contrast when Gabrielle's younger brother and father pass away she managed to hold on to her beliefs. What do you think is the main difference between these two characters? Why do they react so differently to these tragedies?

5. It is clear Nathan's romantic feelings for Gabrielle are one-sided. This sours their relationship when they part ways. Do you think Gabrielle revealing her true feelings for Nathan is what pushes him to finally leave the Shaker community? Have you ever been in this kind of awkward situation, not feeling the same way about someone as they do about you? How did it affect your relationship after your true feelings were revealed?

6. Brice is very devoted to his patients despite the way they think of or treat him. Why do you think he is so devoted to caring for his patients?

7. When Gabrielle and Brice meet secretly in the woods, why do you think Gabrielle decides not to go with Brice then? Do you think it is because Brice is going off to war or do you think she is still too attached to the Shaker community?

8. After Gabrielle's secret meeting in the woods with Brice she is disciplined by the elders and eldresses of the community. Her relationship with Sister Mercy changes at this point. Why do you think Sister Mercy treats Gabrielle differently? Do you think it is what Gabrielle did, some change that Sister Mercy perceives in Gabrielle's attitude, or something else?

9. During her time of constant supervision with sister Helen, Gabrielle is unable to love her as she does the other brothers and sisters in the Shaker community. Why do you think that is? Why do you think sister Helen is so judgmental toward Gabrielle and others in the community?

10. After Gabrielle is disciplined for meeting with Brice in the woods she still faces judgment from some of the Believers. Why do you think they seem unable to forgive her for what she did? If Gabrielle had stayed within the community do you think they would have ever forgiven her? Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone?

11. When Brice goes to the war up north he meets a young man whose faith touches him. Why do you think Seth's faith has such an impact on Brice? Why do you think Seth clings so tightly to his faith despite his circumstances?

12. Brice experiences a major turning point in the abandoned cabin up north where he spends the winter. What do you think brings him to that point? What changes in Brice after that?

13. When Brice returns to the Shaker community for Gabrielle he's unsure if she loves him enough to leave. What changes in Gabrielle during their time apart? Why do you think she decides to leave? Do you think it is the community or Brice's love that causes her to leave?

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