The Fountains of Silence: A Novel

Why did Sepetys choose to include excerpts from various historical documents? How do these excerpts enhance your understanding of the story?

Sepetys claims that the climate in Spain made its young people into “fountains of silence.” What does she mean by this?

The only character whose fate remains unknown is Lorenza. What do you think happened to her in the 18 years following the events of the first section? What about after Franco’s death?

How do you think the United States should have handled relations with Spain under Franco? Did their approach help the Spanish people or hurt them? What would you have done differently?

Many readers are unfamiliar with conditions in Spain during Franco’s regime. What did you know about this time period before reading the book? How has reading the book changed your understanding of that moment in history?

After Ana is fired, Ben advises Daniel to forget everything else and just try to have fun with Ana before he has to leave Madrid. How successful is Daniel in forgetting his time in Spain? Do you think he should have taken Ben’s advice? What would have happened if he had?

Daniel spent much of the book trying and failing to understand Spain and its people. Is it ever possible for someone outside of a culture to fully understand it? Why or why not?

Were you surprised about the so-called Pact of Forgetting that arose after Franco’s death? Why do you think the Spanish people preferred not to discuss the things that had happened?