Book Club Questions - The Sultan’s Court

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

1.     If, like Peri, you ended up living alone in a country with a different faith or belief system and different culture than yours, what aspects of your own faith or culture would you most want to preserve?  What things would you be willing to change? 

2.     What did you think about Peri’s decision not to tell her time travel secret to her daughter until she was a teenager?  How much did you share with your children about your past life or how much did your parents share with you about their past lives? 

3.     Which skills do you think helped Peri adapt to life in Morocco in the 17th century?  What skills do you have that would help you if you went back in time?  What skills are you most lacking that you would need?

4.     When Mya was taken by the sultan, what do you think Peri should have done?  What would you do if your child or someone you love was taken from you? 

5.     All of the characters experienced major challenges in the book.  Which character’s story did you find the most interesting?  The least?  Why?

6.     Was there a decision a character in the book made that really bothered you?  What would you have done in their shoes? 

7.     How did you feel about Daniel staying away for 17 years?  Why do you think Peri forgave him?  What would you have done if you were Peri? 

8.     How have Peri and Daniel changed in those years?  Have you ever been reunited with someone after a long time and what was it like?

9.     How do you think Peri, Daniel, and Ayoub were shaped by their childhoods?  Name something in your childhood that shaped you to be who you are.  Did any early struggles ultimately help you to thrive?

10.  What surprised you the most in the book?

11.  What did this book confirm for you about your understanding of history, and what questions did it raise in your mind?

12.  What aspect of life in the 17th century as portrayed in the book, would you have liked to have experienced yourself?

13.  Peri finally makes it back to the 21st century, only to be whisked away into the future.  Would you have taken a chance on the future knowing you might not be able to get back?  What do you think it will be like in 100 years?

14. If The Sultan’s Court was made into a movie, whom would you choose to play the part of Peri? Daniel? Ayoub?