The Long Call

In the introduction to the novel, Cleeves says of Devon, “I’d quite forgotten how beautiful the place is, but sometimes beauty is skin deep, and it’s that contrast that interests me most” (“Dear Reader”). In addition to descriptions of the setting, how else does Cleeves depict this contrast between Devon’s inherent beauty and ugliness?

Cleeves often incorporates backstories for characters who do not directly affect the plot, such as the story of the relationship between Matthew’s father and Mary Brownscombe. What does the inclusion of this backstory accomplish? What does it develop in the novel, if not the plot?

One of Matthew’s first clues about the nature of the relationship between Gaby and Simon comes when Gaby shows him the portrait she made of Simon. What does this portrait demonstrate about Gaby’s character? Why did she feel driven to create it?

The Long Call oscillates between many different characters’ perspectives. How does Cleeves keep these points of view separate? Use specific examples to support your analysis.

How would you characterize the relationship between Matthew and Ross? What is the source of tension in this relationship? How, if at all, does this relationship shift over the course of the novel?

Matthew joins the police force after leaving the Barum Brethren in part because enforcing the law brings a clear sense of order to his life and worldview. What other social structures besides religion and the law do characters depend on throughout the novel? How do these social structures impact the way they move through the world?

How do you interpret Matthew’s choice to invite his mother to dinner at the end of the novel? Why have the events of the novel triggered his desire to reconnect?

This guide discusses the many ways in which Matthew’s experience of the Barum Brethren reflects the author’s criticism of organized religion. Are there any positive ways in which organized religion impacts the characters of the novel? If so, what are they, and what commentary do they create about the uses of faith?