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2. Irish wolfhounds, which were close to extinction by the middle of the 19th Century, were said to carry the spirits of the ancient Celts. Discuss why the dogs appear to refuse to breed on the Colonel's estate.

3. The outer trapping of Joseph's life improve dramatically with his new life. What are the factors that initially leave him blind to the nature of the colonel? What are the elements that make it hard for him to understand the big picture?

4. Privilege and class affect Anna and Joseph in profoundly different ways. They even change physically in ways that are influenced by their situations. How do Anna and Joseph represent the difference between the Irish and land-rich English?

5. The Irish are never quite who they seem to be in this story. What strategies do the Irish use to communicate and survive while living in an occupied nation?

6. Glenis is Anna's greatest friend and defender. What affect does Glenis' sacrifice have on Anna?

7. In what ways do Anna and Joseph have more advantages or disadvantages because they come from the future?

8. Biddy Early, Deirdre and Taleen all have "the sight" to greater or lesser degrees. Their influence is understated but essential. Which characters would not have have survived without them?

9. Friendship and love figure prominently in this story. Although we only learn about the last days of Anna's marriage to Steve, how does it compare to her relationship with Donal? Why is she so tempted to stay in the past?

10. The story starts at the beginning--- or does it? Biddy Early describes time as a spiral that is somewhat beyond our comprehension. How did you understand the nature of time travel in this story? Is it important to understand every detail of it? How did the spiraling of time, and a curse from the past, effect this Irish American family?

11. Speculate on Anna's life after she returns to present day Ireland. How has time travel changed her?

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