At numerous points in the novel, David suggests that all writers are vain. Do you believe this is true? Do you think writing makes people vain, or are vain people simply attracted to writing?

In what ways does Pedro's patronage of David and Cristina backfire on him? How does the theme of indebtedness manifest itself in both the domestic narrative and the parallel supernatural narrative?

Corelli suggests that the details and traditions of a given religion are meaningless and that all that matters is the underlying narrative. Do you agree with that? Why or why not?