- In the prologue to Frasier Island, we get a glimpse of George and Rachel before they arrive on the island. Is this information important to the story? Would you feel differently about these characters if you had not seen them in their pre-island life?
- When Rachel arrives, what does Frasier Island symbolize to her? Why was it so important that she draw this particular assignment? What does the island mean for George? Does Frasier meet their expectations?
- In this book, the island is almost a character, with moods and secrets of its own. How do the terrain and weather on Frasier Island challenge, frustrate, and help the characters?
- George wants less from Rachel than she is prepared to give to the mission. Rachel expects more from George than he is prepared to give as a mentor. How can expectations of other people disappoint us?
- The isolation of the island weighed heavily on Rachel at times. How did she handle it? Have you ever wished you could get away to a place of solitude for a while? If you can’t do that, how can you create the illusion in your life?
- Have you ever been alone for longer than you liked? How did you deal with the feelings brought on by isolation?
- George has an ongoing struggle to keep the windmills operating, and Rachel experiences a parallel struggle with her faith. What conditions on the island hindered her spiritual growth, and what made her stronger?
- Rachel doesn’t like Brian. George didn’t get along with Ron, and at first he appears not to like Rachel. Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you had to live or work with someone who was hard to get along with? How did you deal with it? How could you have handled it better?
- The three main characters (George, Rachel, and Pierre) all have strong personalities. With which one did you connect most easily? Whose story seemed most powerful to you, and why?
- Pierre managed to be best friend to both George and Rachel. How could he have helped the two of them more? What could he have done to hasten the end of their feud? Did he act the role of peacemaker too often?
- Rachel’s temper repeatedly gets the better of her, though she seeks God’s help in controlling it. What is her turning point in anger management? If you have had trouble in this area, tell how you handle your worst moments.
- George learns that his old friend, Matt, betrayed him and America. Has a friend ever let you down? What steps did you take to try to set things right?
- Both Rachel and George struggle with forgiveness—of each other, of other people, and of themselves. Ultimately they accept God’s forgiveness for their pasts. How was Rachel able to forgive Brian? Her attacker from the past? Herself?
- How does George and Rachel’s relationship change after each learns to accept God’s forgiveness for the past?
- In their six months together, how could George, Rachel, and Pierre have interacted spiritually? What kept them from doing this? When Pierre leaves, Rachel expresses regret that they never talked seriously about God. What opportunities did she miss? If she and Pierre had discussed religion, how might that have affected George and the newcomers to the island?
