Reading Group
Author
Robyn Young was born in Oxford and grew up in the Midlands and Devon. She has worked as a festival organiser, a music promoter, an investment advisor and as a teacher of creative writing. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Sussex.
Reading Group Guide
- What do you think are the main themes in this novel?
- Do you feel that the novel, even though it's historical fiction, has connections to the modern world? If so, in what ways?
- Do you think the story could be turned into a film?
- Who would play Will and Elwen?
- Are there any other books you would compare this novel to?
- War and peace are important themes in Crusade – in what ways are Will and Kalawun thwarted in their attempts to reconcile their people?
- Do you believe that the Anima Templi could ultimately achieve its aims?
- How do you feel about the deaths of some of the characters? Did you feel more for one particular character? If so, why?
- Why does Will find it so difficult to commit to Elwen?
- Do you feel empathy towards Garin? If so, why?
- Did you find your allegiances to characters or to the East and West sides shifting at all during the course of the novel? If so, in what ways?
- This period of history is extremely popular – what do you believe it is that fascinates people about this time?
Read an Extract
- Read an Extract [crusade_extract.pdf] (0.47 MB)
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