December - Discussion Questions

Here are some discussion questions to keep in mind for our meeting tonight. As always, please come with additional questions if you have them!

Questions for Discussion 

1. This book was chosen for the "winter" theme. Can you tell why immediately? What was the role that winter played in the novel?
2. The relationship between Lev & Kolya changes throughout the novel. Was this relationship depicted realistically?
3. The two characters are on a quest for one dozen eggs. Why do you think the author chose eggs as the commodity? Would the message of deprivation been as strong (or stronger) with another product?
4. Kolya talks about the brilliance that is The Courtyard Hound. What indication does the author give you that Kolya is the author? What was the significance to Kolya that he wrote this?
5. One of the plot peaks of the book is when Lev & Kolya find the house filled with the girls who are kept plump and healthy for the German Einsatzgruppen. Discuss what goes on in this house. How did it change Lev's character?
6. The author wrote this as if it was about his grandfather, although he admits in interviews that his grandfather has never been to Russia. This speaks to the flexibility that the story has; it could be anyone's grandfather. Did you feel as if your family's history could fit into this story somewhere?
7. David Benioff is a writer for Game of Thrones. For those of you who have seen GoT, do you see any similarities in the storytelling?

 Thank you for participating again this month! I look forward to seeing you for the discussion!