Reader’s Guide

The novel opens with “The King and the Orphan Girl.” How effective is this device, and the placement of the crown and tree, in setting up the story?

Does the Introduction add depth to the story. In what ways?

In Italy, the foundling wheel was established by the Church to help reduce infant mortality. Yet, at this time in Naples, it was against the law for a mother to abandon her baby. How is that relayed to the reader?

What of the nuns? How do their lives contrast to those of women outside the church?

Are you surprised that Mother Superior is allowed to administer the sacrament of baptist? But she does not feel honored. Why?

Aside from Gennaro, and later Gianluca, most orphans know almost nothing of the outside world. In Part I, Alessandra cannot imagine the ocean, the line where it seems to meet the sky.

Which other scenes help advance the concept of the children’s isolation. In what ways do they know more of life than children in today’s world?

In Part I, we learn of Alessandra’s strange inheritance. What is the significance of the pine seeds? Does the reader interpret the story as a fantasy? A fairy tale? Or do the seeds represent a deeper connection? To fertility, regeneration – to reincarnation?

Discuss the adoptive parents. During her time living with the family, why does Alessandra feel that she is still a nameless orphan?

Marianna wanted a sister. Does Alessandra fulfill the girl’s expectations?

Kitchens and work tables are a recurring devices. How are they used to build a deeper understanding of Alessandra’s world?

Discuss Zi’ and the myriad ways she is important to Alessandra’s life.

Do you expect that Constantin will return again, especially when he learns that Alessandra is pregnant? Why or why not? Does the beginning of Part I hold a clue?

Compare and contrast King Primo with the king in Constantin’s home country. How do Primo’s actions endear him to his subjects? What happens when he throws strands of spaghetti down on his admirers? Is Alessandra surprised? Why do his subjects not only tolerate his behavior but revel in it.

Alessandra writes two fairy tales. Compare and contrast how she presents the pine seeds.

Does the ruse of fake smallpox create tension and add depth to the story? In what ways do smallpox become a background to various aspects of the story?

The author’s use of flashback, shifting points of view and illustrations are interwoven into the narrative. How effective are they in adding scope and depth to the story.

Regeneration is a recurring theme in the novel. How and in what ways is it shown?

Explain the significance of the supernatural world to the novel. Does it have special significance to all the characters? Does fortune telling imply that Alessandra is a witch?

How does the novel portray sex and sexuality? Consider the forms of sexual violence and other ways that power is used over others, such as by priests and the adoptive father.

Gennaro is very important to the story. Discuss his relevance to Alessandra and other characters in the story. As a femminiello, Gennaro adds another aspect of sexual awareness to the story. In what ways is Alessandra confused by his sexuality and that he works as a prostitute?

How and in what ways is Gennaro a common thread that runs through the story and, likewise, in Alessandra’s life.

Do you see Alessandra as sexually naive, or is it a further effect of her early life in the convent?

Discuss the effects of sexual abuse by the adoptive father.

In Part III, the author switches to first person. Do you feel this helps the character come alive? In what ways? Does the placement of the crown and the tree help differentiate the speakers?

In what ways might The Eternal Pine be relevant to our lives? How are the challenges faced by Alessandra, Gennaro and Gianluca different or similar to young people today? Or Jiosi starting a business on her own? Think of Part III, when Alessandra sees cousin Isabella.

The castration of boys to preserve their “angelic” voices was common practice in Italy for about 300 years. In this regard, the church fathers hold a complicated history. Outwardly, the church forbade the practice, yet it is estimated that 4000 boys were castrated. Poor families gave over their sons in the belief that they would become famous and make them rich. But the majority only sung in choirs or became music teachers. Castration also affected the body’s physicality. Typically, the man’s arms and legs were extremely long and the head small. Alessandra notes Gianluca’s long arms when she sees him onstage at the Teatro San Carlo.

Research shows that castrated males were very promiscuous but, of course, unable to reach orgasm. Were you surprised that Luisa wants to marry Gianluca who cannot father a child? Why was it illegal for a castrato to marry?

Magical realism is an essential theme in the novel. In what ways is it used to highlight a scene? Consider the exhumation in your discussion.

The city of Naples is a character in the novel. The same could be said of Piazza Mercato and Vesuvius. What is the connection between people and their environment? How is magical realism expressed through the geography, culture and various aspects of Neapolitan society.

How does the Epilogue further advance the story? In what ways?

The Eternal Pine is rich in character development and sub-plots. Who is your favorite character?