This reading group guide for The Poet Prince includes an introduction, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club, and a Q&A with author Kathleen McGowan . The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. Description Maureen follows her new teacher, Destino, to Florence where she begins training in the secret teachings of The Order of the Holy Sepulcher, just as Matilda did before her 1000 years ago. With Destino, Maureen discovers the story of Lorenzo, the man who would be known to history as The Magnificent. But Maureen will learn that Lorenzo''s driving obsession was not one of simple culture; rather, he was creating a body of work to preserve a series of ancient secrets, secrets too powerful and dangerous to be committed to writing. Lorenzo is aided by his mistress, the forbidden lover who obsesses him until he dies - and who acted as muse for some of the most famous and breathtaking paintings in the world. Maureen is joined by her lover, Berenger, who discovers that he shares an extraordinary legacy with Lorenzo the Magnificent: both were born under the auspices of a prophecy found in the early writing of the Bloodline, the prophecy of The Poet Prince.

While Berenger explores the daunting task of filling Lorenzo''s place in the 21st century, he will come face to face with other characters from history who have shared the title of Poet Prince, and who had very deadly enemies. Those enemies have equally dangerous descendants who carry a 500-year-old vendetta against any who support Lorenzo''s form of heresy. Questions for Discussion Felicity is portrayed as a fanatic Catholic who believes Maureen usurped her role as the prophetess. Father Giralomo faced arguments with other fanatics in the confraternity when he spared Maureen''s life. Discuss religious extremism in the novel. How do the extreme views of Felicity move the plot? Can you identify examples of similar behavior seen today? Did you know the story of Saint Felicity? What are your reactions to her view on faith? What did Lady Petronella say to anger her? How do these two women represent different paths in Christianity? Father Giralomo and the Confraternity were threatened by Maureen''s views regarding sacred sexuality, or Hieros Gamos. How does the concept of Hieros Gamos fit into the novel? Peter wrestles with the idea of celibacy and what he found in the teachings of the Libro Rosso. What are your own views on sexuality and celibacy in regards to your faith? Do you know of other groups that have adopted the idea of Hieros Gamos for their beliefs? What other examples from literature or film have you encountered that explore this topic? Immaculate Conception is explained as ''the conscious conception of a much-desired child.

'' How do the teachings of the Libro Rosso support this definition? Does this definition support or refute your beliefs of Immaculate Conception? Do your views stem from historical or religious teachings? Discuss the social impact of challenging the idea of Immaculate Conception. Petra says, ''There is only one way to find your twin soul, and that is to find yourself first.'' Twin souls, or soulmates, are a key part to the story. Discuss the concept of soulmates in relation to Berenger and Maureen. What are some of the ways they show the strength of their bond? Who are some other examples of soulmates in the book? Do you believe in soulmates? In her quest for power, Vittoria tells Berenger he is the father of her child. How does this complicate the plot? How does Berenger reconcile his place in society with his spiritual beliefs and love for Maureen? Berenger lies to Maureen about his relationship with Vittoria. Did you find this incongruous with his character? How does he rationalize the affair and his lying? How does this affect Maureen and what is her reaction? Do you think that if the roles were reversed, the outcome would have been the same? Do you think that Maureen was right to forgive him? The Angelics are referred to as ''geniuses possessed by divine inspiration''. Discuss how the author identifies some of the Angelics as gifted artists because of their spirituality.

How is creating art through the process of infusion important to the teachings of The Way? What examples of this are in the book? What were your first thoughts when Donatello presented the statue of Mary Magdalene as a beggar? The author outlines the destiny of the Poet Prince as having been handed through some of history''s most notable characters. Which characters did you recognize and can you imagine their story as a Poet Prince? Discuss the meaning of this destiny as described through the various Poet Princes in the book. Can you identify other historical figures who may have fulfilled this prophecy? Re-read the prophecy as recited by Rene d'' Anjou. Discuss the specific ways the story unfolds in relation to the prophecy. Discuss the concept of time in the prophecies, the plotline, and the book itself. Where else in the story is time a force? Berenger faces the choice of pursuing duty with Vittoria versus happiness with Maureen. Destino explains that Berenger must past this test or he will have to remain on earth to keep teaching the lessons of The Way. What kept Destino alive all of these years? Discuss the parallels in the characters of Lorenzo and Berenger and the notable plot points.

Do they relate to their loved ones in similar or different manners? What choices do they make to uphold the teachings of The Way? Are you sympathetic to the character of Clairice? How does the author portray her? What were your reactions to this portrayal? Pope Sixtus IV says "Under no circumstance have I, the heir to the throne of Saint Peter, condoned murder. I have only said that a change in government to remove the poisonous Medici family from power would be extremely pleasing to your Holy Mother Church." Discuss the circumstances surrounding the murder of Giuliano de Medici. Who is responsible and what is the significance of where and when it takes place? Beyond power, what are some of the driving factors behind the attempted overthrow? How does the Florentine community react to the violence? Spend a moment and discuss the characters of Colombina and Maureen. Do you think that Maureen and Colombina are alike? Do you relate to any of the characters in the book? What other novels have you read with courageous or memorable female characters? Did you read The Expected One and The Book of Love ? How does The Poet Prince compare? Do you identify with any of the characters? How are the characters in each time period alike? Do you see a pattern of "time returning" as you view these characters together, as all connected by "The Magdalene Line?" Enhance Your Book Club 1. Visit www.KathleenMcGowan.com for resources and background information about The Poet Prince.

2. Learn more about the life of Lorenzo de Medici, the godfather of the Renaissance, in Miles J. Unger''s biography Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de'' Medici. Compare the biography with the depiction of Lorenzo de Medici in The Poet Prince at your next book club meeting. 3. Have each book club member find an article or news clip about contemporary Roman Catholicism. Discuss the portrayal of the Pope and Catholicism itself in that particular clip or article. 4.

Look up the Botticelli paintings as described throughout the book. Do you see the same symbolism that the author asserts? Do you have a different interpretation of the art? Do you believe that the concept of "infusion" works and that a piece of art can be "felt" as well as observed? A Conversation with Kathleen McGowan 1. With all of the intricacies of history, art history, religion, and literature, how did you conduct your research for The Poet Prince ? I spent a lot of time in Italy while working on this book, as I felt it was necessary to immerse myself in the culture of Florence as deeply as possible. Despite the centuries between us, there is much of that great city which is unchanged. I was determined to see everything possible that was ever in Lorenzo''s possession. So much has been written about Lorenzo, but so little deals with his inner life. And I became more and more convinced that Lucrezia Donati and Lorenzo were together in one way or another until he died, so I wanted to find as much about her as possible. There is very little documentation on her in any language, so it became more of an intuitive process.

I stayed in the Antica Torre, and went to the Uffizi and other museums every day for two weeks to study the art at length, sometimes just sitting in front of it to watch how others responded to it as well. Donatello''s Magdalene never fails to knock me off my feet. She is so wretched, yet crafted with so much love. 2. Has the process of writing changed for you with ea.