The theme of Female Friendship and Camaraderie is central to the novel. Describe the differences and similarities in Irene and Dorothy’s characters. In what ways do they complement each other? What makes their friendship so strong? Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Irene loves beauty, art, and literature. How does Irene find beauty amidst the chaos of war, and what is the significance of Luis Alberto Urrea’s decision to describe the beauty of the German landscape?

What is the significance of the various letters featured in the novel, and how does this aspect of the story tie into the novel’s title?