The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse

1. Why do you think the Levallois family agreed to protect Joséphine?

2. Monsieur Dupont, the concierge for Andrée, Louis, and Augustine's building, is an unexpected hero. How does the novel show that small acts of courage save lives?

3. Madame Évrard was a fierce protector of her Jewish students. How does the novel show how schools and teachers played a key role in resisting Nazis?

4. The Levallois family struggled to secure a ration card for Joséphine, having to eke out meager rations of dry bread and coffee. What does the book tell you about the material conditions for people living in occupied France at this time?

5. What role does the piano play in the novel, and how does it figure in the characters' lives? How did Joséphine's piano lessons give her and the family hope?

6. How does Joséphine's story compare to World War II stories you are familiar with? Did you know about the French Resistance groups?

7. Madame Durand and Solène attempted to "save" Joséphine through conversion. What do you make of Augustine and Andrée's response and promise to preserve Joséphine's faith?

8. "Clair de Lune is a song of hope and of home in this novel. How does music provide hope in the novel? What is your sound of hope?

9. Cat goes on a high-risk mission to obtain German files. Gypsy serves the German officers at Le Fleuron to gather intelligence. What does it say about the different ways in which people resisted?

10. Dancer confesses to save her son's life. Do you blame Dancer for betraying the network? Why does Andrée forgive her?

11. Dancer and Philippe celebrate Hanukkah with Joséphine and the Levallois family. How are the Hanukkah celebrations in the novel an act of resistance?

12. What was your overwhelming feeling when you finished the novel? Was it one of hope?

13. Did you see the Levallois family as heroes or as ordinary people?