The Last Hours Reading Group Notes

About the book 2 Praise 2 About the author 2 From the author 3 Watch the book trailer 3 Conversation starters 4 Just for fun 5 If you liked this book 5 Also by Minette Walters 5 About the book When the Black Death enters England through the port of Melcombe in Dorseteshire in June 1348, no one knows what manner of sickness it is or how it spreads and kills so quickly. The Church proclaims it a punishment from God but Lady Anne of Develish has different ideas. With her brutal husband absent, she decides on more sensible ways to protect her people than the daily confessions of sin recommended by the Bishop. Anne gathers her serfs within the gates of Develish and refuses entry to outsiders, even to her husband. She makes an enemy of her daughter by doing so, but her resolve is strengthened by the support of her leading serfs … until food stocks run low and the nerves of all are tested by their ignorance of what is happening in the world outside. The people of Develish are alive. But for how long? And what will they discover when the time comes for them to cross the moat? Compelling and suspenseful, The Last Hours is a riveting tale of human ingenuity and endurance against the worst pandemic known to history. In Lady Anne of Develish—leader, saviour, heretic— Walters has created her most memorable heroine to date. Praise for The Last Hours ‘A wonderful and sweeping 14th century saga, with fabulous sense of place and history. Very satisfying.’—Kate Mosse, bestselling author of Labyrinth and Sepulchre ‘An enthralling account of a calamitous time, and above all a wonderful testimony to the strength of the human spirit. I was caught from the first page.’—Julian Fellowes, Oscar-winning screenwriter of Downton Abbey About the author Minette Walters is the critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling author of suspense novels, including The Devil’s Feather, The Sculptress and Acid Row. She is the recipient of an Edgar Award and two CWA Gold Dagger Awards, among other awards. She lives in Dorset with her husband. © Fabio De Paola page 2 From the author Hear Minette Walters discuss The Last Hours and her move from suspense novels to historical fiction. Watch the book trailer page 3 Conversation starters ... Minette Walters may have swapped genres—from psychological thrillers to historical fiction—but her mastery of suspense has been used to brilliant effect in dealing with the greatest killer of man. Discuss. The Last Hours is a story of revolution and the Black Death is the catalyst for the change. Discuss. Lady Anne of Develish defies the boundaries of class and gender, angering those in titled positions, but finding widespread support of those in her care. Discuss class and gender relations of the time and the consequences of her actions. Lady Anne challenges the religious mores espoused by the Church and is regarded as a heretic by her daughter. Why do you think Minette Walters has drawn a picture of a corrupt, sinful and hypocritical Church? And what part does the Church play in the death of so many at the hands of the plague? The Last Hours explores the idea of knowledge being power. Women and serfs were deliberately left uneducated, enabling those in positions of power to maintain an established order. Lady Anne, educated by nuns, challenges and breaks this stronghold. Today it is easy to see this inequity as a travesty (despite an ongoing occurrence), but discuss how Lady Anne’s actions and views would have been perceived from those in power and those in her care. 1348, The Black Death. Once more Lady Anne reinforces the importance of knowledge over ignorance. The Church proclaims the illness as a punishment from God. Lady Anne resorts to basic hygiene practices and quarantining those in her care. Regarded with suspicion and condescension at the time, ultimately it saves the lives of the people of Develish. Find out five interesting facts about the Black Death for group discussion. Thaddeus Thurkell is educated by Anne and estranged from his fellow serfs. Yet despite his bastard status he is born to be a leader. There’s a lot more to him that meets the eye. What is Thaddeus’ relationship with Anne and what do you think his role in the book is? Eleanor, a hateful child, is still the daughter of Lady Anne. Unable to respond to her mother’s care and insightful instruction, she sets out on a destructive path to destroy those in her way and will stop at nothing, even murder, to do so. Despite this, she does elicit a degree of sympathy. Discuss events from her point of view. Do you think that Lady Anne could have done more to avoid much of the animosity that Eleanor directs towards herself and others? When the true nature of the relationship between Eleanor and her father is revealed, Lady Anne blames herself for not realising and not protecting her daughter. Given Sir Richard’s past crimes and proclivities, should Lady Anne have known what was happening? Knowing all that she knows as we reach the end of the book, why do you think Eleanor still insists on protecting her father? Discuss what you think might happen in book two. What would you like to see happen? page 4 Just for fun ... Who would you cast in a movie adaptation of The Last Hours? If you could have a chat with any character from the novel, who would it be and why? What three questions would you ask them? Pick out a passage that strikes you as particularly moving or interesting and read it to the group. If you liked this book ... May we suggest the following? Pillars of the Earth and Column of Fire by Ken Follett Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel The Last Tudor and The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory Labyrinth and Sepulchre by Kate Mosse Also by Minette Walters Disordered Minds Acid Row The Scold’s Bridle The Dark Room The Breaker The Echo Fox Evil The Devil’s Feather A Dreadful Murder The Tinder Box Chicken Feed The Shape of Snakes The Chameleon’s Shadow page 5.

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