Francine Walls
NOVELIST & POET
CRADLE OF LIGHTNING
"Cradle of Lightning has it all: an exotic and exciting setting; deep themes and history; love and danger; and an intelligent, compassionate, and tender protagonist. It stands out for its intelligence and compassion. Smart and fun to read."
— Sandra Scofield, author of
The Last Draft, The Scene Book, and Little Ships
It is 1972 and Alicia Talbot, a Vietnam war widow with a two-year-old son, has traveled to the poor, mostly illiterate nation of Botswana to teach English. At the nearby border, civil war roils Rhodesia. Alicia’s remote school harbors a saboteur, someone runs guns to Rhodesian guerrillas, and students sense the rising tension. Alicia falls for a new teacher, Jake Hunter, but just when romance seems possible, the sunbaked Kalahari Desert and guerrilla warfare threaten all she loves.
Discussion Questions
Which character was your favorite? Why?
Which character was your least favorite? Why?
Several of the characters had major losses in their lives. How did the characters deal with loss?
How does the setting in the Kalahari Desert affect the characters?
What was the impact of the Vietnam War on the characters?
What was the impact of the Rhodesian Bush War on the characters?
What did you think of Alica, the main character, as a mother, a teacher, and a partner?
How does the culture in Botswana in the 1970s, 50 years ago, differ from your own culture?
What did you think of the title of the book? How did it relate to the story?
Were there particular scenes that were especially memorable for you? What emotions did they evoke?
Was the love affair between Alicia and Jake believable? Why or why not?
Which characters acted heroically in this novel? Why?
What were the major themes of the novel?