book club

Forgiveness: An Exploration

by Marina Cantacuzino

Over the years people have had many spirited and illuminating discussions about Marina Cantacuzino’s book ‘Forgiveness: An Exploration’.

We recommend it as a powerful non-fiction book to discuss at book clubs round the world.

Follow the buttons below to download the free book club resource and to buy the book.

Why this book?

  • The book covers all aspects of forgiveness.

  • The book is broken up into themed chapters.

  • The book invites readers to explore ideas and experiences through real stories.

  • The stories are woven together with additional fibres from literature, psychology, current affairs etc.

  • The author approaches forgiveness through a secular lens.

  • The book examines how and why people choose to forgive.

  • The book explores the limits and benefits of forgiveness.

Marina Cantacuzino, Founder of The Forgiveness Project

about the author

Marina Cantacuzino

Marina Cantacuzino MBE is an author, broadcaster, podcaster and peace activist.  In 2004, after working for 15 years as a journalist, and in response to the invasion of Iraq, she founded The Forgiveness Project, a UK-based charity that works with personal narratives in order to help people break cycles of harm and create a more compassionate world.

Since then she has co-created The Forgiveness Toolbox, produced and hosted The F Word Podcast and in 2024 her second BBC series Forgiveness: Stories from the Frontline was aired on Radio 4. The latest of Marina's three books on the subject of forgiveness, Forgiveness: An Exploration was published by Simon & Schuster in 2022.

She has also worked as a tutor for the Arvon Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes creative writing, and recently devised and delivered a residential life-writing course called 'Turning Pain into Prose'.

“This is an utterly memorable book – beautifully written, fascinating in its insights, and extraordinarily moving. We all need to forgive, and this book, through its recounting of the stories of people who have something really significant to forgive, will be an inspiration to help us reach a state of forgiveness. This is a book that will stay with the reader for a very long time.”

Alexander McCall Smith

“There have been few more appropriate and vital moments for this fascinating book to emerge than now as we bear witness to so many acts requiring forgiveness – the complexity of the practice of forgiveness, its meanings, its measure as a force for change are all here – and most of all, its power to prevent the repetition of the worst in our human behaviour and the possibility of finding freedom from hatred.”

Emma Thompson

“What marks Marina Cantacuzino’s book on forgiveness is that it is an enquiry rather than a persuasion. With journalistic skill, she observes, questions and considers stories; offering insights, but never prescribing…I’ve followed her work for years, and this brilliant book is a remarkable exploration of her decades-long fascination with Forgiveness, its complications and its gifts.”

Pádraig Ó Tuama

Preparing for the book club

  • Read the book carefully

As you read, take notes of your thoughts, questions, and reactions. You may also want to note any quotes, passages or stories that stand out and that you want to discuss at your meeting. Or indeed any questions that you have about the book.

  • Prepare discussion questions

The host (and members) of the group may want to prepare discussion questions which will help to keep your discussion flowing. Examples:

  • How would you describe the book in one sentence? What is the main point or purpose of the book?
  • How would you challenge or debate the author’s approach to forgiveness? Did you find her arguments convincing?
  • How did the book change your opinion or perspective on the topic? Did it confirm or contradict any of your assumptions about forgiveness?
  • What was the most memorable or impactful story, anecdote or chapter in the book? Why did it stand out to you?
  • What was the most surprising or shocking thing you learned from the book? How did it make you feel?
  • How did the author engage you as a reader in the book? What did you like or dislike about the author’s writing style?
  • How did you respond to the author’s choice of how to frame and organize the themes of forgiveness?
  • What are some of the ethical, moral, or social implications of the book? How does it challenge or support your values or beliefs?
  • Did the book inspire you to take action, change your behaviour, or think differently about something?

  • Guidelines

Here are some guidelines for those starting a book club for the first time.

  • Preparation

    In case members don’t have time to read the whole book, the host might suggest beforehand that each member of the book club read one specific chapter to share with the group and then discuss.

  • Welcome

    Welcome all members and have everyone introduce themselves if there are new members.

  • Set rules

    Review any rules of discussion – e.g. giving everyone a chance to speak, staying on topic, and respecting diverse viewpoints.

  • Trigger warning

    Acknowledge that the book’s themes could sometimes be difficult and that members should be aware of their own emotional triggers and be sensitive to those of others.

  • Opening circle

    Start with initial reactions.  It can be helpful to go around the room and check on everyone’s experience of reading the book. This gives every member a chance to participate early on, and also gives you insight into what resonated or didn’t resonate with people.

  • Start discussion

    If you’ve come with prepared discussion questions (see above), pick one to start with.  You can spread questions out so each one builds in depth and others can see what topics are up for discussion. Pace the conversation by moving on when you feel the group has thoroughly explored a topic.

    Don’t be afraid of impromptu dialogue. The goal is an authentic, engaging discussion rather than sticking rigidly to your prepared questions.

  • Closing circle

    Wrap up the discussion.  As you come to the end of the meeting, you may want to summarize a few key themes that came up to reinforce the most meaningful takeaways.

Further resources

Additional resources from The Forgiveness Project to support your reading of ‘Forgiveness: An Exploration’.

  • Prologue

  • Chapter 1: A messy business

  • Chapter 2: The dark side

  • Chapter 3: Isolation

  • Chapter 4: The oil of personal relationships

  • Chapter 5: Forgiveness from the inside out

  • Chapter 6: Political forgiveness

  • Chapter 7: The hardest word

  • Chapter 8: Defeating hate

  • Chapter 9: Facing the enemy

  • Chapter 10: out of the straitjacket

  • Chapter 11: The mechanics of forgiving

  • Epilogue