THE GIRL IN THE RED COAT

Kate Hamer is a winner of the Rhys Davies short story prize. This is her first novel.

“Keeps the reader turning pages at a frantic clip . . . What’s most powerful here is not whodunnit, or even why, but how this mother and daughter bear their separation, and the stories they tell themselves to help endure it.” —Celeste Ng, author of Everything I Never Told You

“[A] spectacular debut … Telling the story in two remarkable voices, with Beth’s chapters unfurling in past tense and Carmel’s in present tense, the author weaves a page-turning narrative. The trajectories of the novel’s two leads—through despair, hope, and redemption—are believable and nuanced, resulting in a morally complex, haunting read.” —Publishers Weekly starred review

“Hamer’s lush use of language easily conjures fairy-tale imagery, especially of dark forests and Little Red Riding Hood. Although a kidnapped child is the central plot point, this is not a mystery but a novel of deep inquiry and intense emotions. Hamer’s dark tale of the lost and found is nearly impossible to put down and will spark much discussion.” —Booklist starred review

“Poignantly details the loss and loneliness of a mother and daughter separated…Fast-paced … Hamer beautifully renders pain, exactly capturing the evisceration of loss…Exquisite prose surrounding a mother and daughter torn apart.” —Kirkus Reviews

In the beginning of the novel, Beth briefly loses Carmel in a maze. What is the significance of this moment? How did it influence your reaction to the scenes at the festival?

Beth tells Carmel that, regardless of what happens, Carmel must stay uniquely “Carmel” inside. Are names an important aspect of this story? Can you think of any examples where names play a significant role in the text?

Families, or, more importantly, family difficulties, are central to The Girl in the Red Coat. What are the various family dynamics at work? Where are there parallels and where are there inconsistencies?

Discuss Beth and her ex-husband’s shifting relationship. Consider how it is strengthened and changed by Carmel’s disappearance. As Beth says, “we were brother and sister united in this strange bond.”

Early in the book, Carmel’s teacher, Mrs. Buckfast, refers to Beth as “yet another single mother.” Think about the friendships Beth has with her female friends and how they support each other. Are those relationships surprising in any way? How do they evolve?

Fairy tales play an important role throughout The Girl in the Red Coat. Discuss the fairy tale imagery (the woods, the significance of Carmel’s red coat) and how it elevates the novel into the realm of the supernatural. Did this affect your reading of the story?

How does Beth handle the loss of her daughter over the course of the novel? Did you notice examples of “tiny actions” that helped her cope? How do those actions compare to the more major developments in Carmel’s disappearance?

Gramps believes Carmel possesses a divine gift. Do you see evidence of this divine gift throughout the text? Are you convinced by it? Look closely at pages 225–227.

Gramps and Dorothy tell Carmel a number of lies in order to keep her with them. These lies escalate as Carmel becomes more and more suspicious. What are some of these lies and how do they affect Carmel? Is there one that feels like the breaking point, or is it more a matter of accumulation?

The word “courage” is a refrain throughout the novel. Discuss the ways in which the book’s protagonists—Carmel and Beth—display courage. How do those demonstrations compare to the “courage” we see in Gramps, Dorothy, and Paul?

Beth says she feels “better in an environment that says: normality is paper thin.” How does the world move on as Beth struggles with her grief? Did you notice historical or cultural clues that gave you a sense of when the narrative takes place? Did it matter? Look closely at pg. 247.