Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism and antigay bias. 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did Chambers’s decision to split Swift River between three different time periods (1915, 1980, and 1987) affect your understanding of the characters and their struggles? Did you find this narrative approach effective? Have you read other works of historical fiction that use a similar structure—e.g., Heather Marshall’s Looking for Jane?

2. Chambers explores how racism permeates a community across generations in Swift River. How did her approach to this theme compare to other novels that examine racial history in America, such as Toni Morrison’s Beloved? What made Swift River’s exploration of this topic distinctive?

3. Which character’s journey resonated with you most deeply, and why? Did your allegiances shift throughout the novel?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Diamond’s desire to leave Swift River drives much of her motivation throughout the novel. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to leave a place or situation to find yourself.