- What did you get out of the book and/or what did it mean to you? Do you have any favorite passages or quotes?
- Why do you think the author wrote this?
- What major issues and ideas was the author trying to convey and explore – love, coming of age, disillusionment , fate, family ties, etc.
- Is there any moral responsibility shown, abdicated, abused?
- Are the characters’ actions the result of freedom of choice or destiny/fate?
- Are there any symbols or imagery in the book that may have cultural, political, or religious significance?
- What type of vision does the author use with his choice of words? Optimistic, pessimistic, prophetic, cautionary, humorous, satirical, venomous, reminiscent …
- How did you relate to the characters? Choose one to elaborate upon.
- What memories were invoked by the story?
- Think about the way the story was told. How did the narrator’s voice affect your reading of it? Did the voice draw you in or distance you from it?
- Was the plot effective?
- Were the major conflicts resolved in a satisfactory manner?
- How would you describe the author’s style? Spare, lyrical, descriptive, objective etc.?
- Does the author’s writing style and devices add power to the overall effect of the book or are they distracting or forced? (G)ive an example of text
- Does the book appeal more to you emotions or intellect? How and why?
- What in this novel makes you laugh, cry, feel uncomfortable, feel anger?