The Ghost of Hannah Mendes A Novel [Paperback]

When Catherine da Costa, a wealthy Manhattan matron, learns she has only a short time to live, she realizes that her family tree will die unless she passes on its legacy and traditions to her granddaughters. But Suzanne and Francesca, beautiful young women caught up in trendy causes and ambitious careers, have no interest in the past. Catherine almost despairs until one night she is visited by the ghost of her family's anscestor, an indomitable Renaissance businesswoman named Hannah Mandes.

The ghost of Hannah Mendes encourages Catherine to use every trick in the book to coerce the granddaughters to journey across Europe and acquaint themselves with their roots. While the sisters honor their grandmother's request out of loyalty, they believe their quest is futile--until it starts to uncover ancient pages from Hannah Mendes's fascinating memoir, and brings new loves into their lives.

1.The Ghost of Hannah Mendesis really two books: a contemporary novel about the lives of two modern career girls, and a historical novel. Why did the author choose to weave this material together into one book? What do you think it accomplishes? Had she chosen to write the story of Gracia Mendes as straight historical fiction, how would the focus have changed?
2. Catherine da Costa sends her granddaughters off in search of their heritage, their roots, and their history. What do you think the lives of our ancestors have to teach us now, hundreds of years later? Or are we better off not burdening our children with the past, allowing them to discard it like so much excess baggage?
3. Describe Suzanne and Francesca. How are they different? In what ways are they similar? In what ways do each respond to the legacy of their heritage?
4. In one scene in the book, Francesca is fired from her job. What effect does this event have on her life in terms of her actions, her character and her worldview?
5. The author has often said that it is possible to explain alll+