Discussion
Points
1. What
does the title “In God’s Garden” refer to?
2. Do
you think that Nadia lived her life as if in a garden? Why?
3. What
reasons did Nadia’s grandfather give to his son to discourage him from marrying
Nadia’s mother? Do you agree with him? Did the events of the novel prove him
right, or wrong?
4. What
triggered Nadia’s feelings toward her mother? Did her sister, Salwa, feel the
same? Why?
5. Name
Nadia’s true love or loves. Explain.
6. According
to Nadia, how many meanings are there to the expression “God willing”? Which
one she followed? Explain.
7. Is
there a gap between appearances and reality in the Egyptian culture? Explain?
8. List
the differences and similarities between Nadia’s life in Egypt and her life if
she had been living in the United States?
9. How
did the political, social, and economic changes brought by Abd al-Nasser,
al-Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak affect Nadia’s family?
10. Show
how religion and life intertwine in Egypt?
