by Wendy
Orent (nonfiction
selection)
by
Geraldine Brooks (fiction
selection)
==========================================================
Discussion Questions
General Discussion Question
1. Which book(s) did you read, and did you like or dislike them?
Discussion Questions for PLAGUE (nonfiction selection)
1. The author attempts to present a thorough history of the plague. Did she succeed?
2. A great deal of the book is dedicated to plague descriptions and outbreaks, and a lot less allotted to prevention and recovery. Why do you think the author chose this type of breakdown?
3. Compare and contrast the three different types of plague: bubonic, pneumonic, septicemic.
4. The author writes that "a change in human hygiene...drove plague out of humanity...It was the irresistible spread of inexpensive cakes of soap." (p. 171) Your thoughts?
5. In the last few pages, the author discusses the possible use of plague as a weapon. She claims that U.S. citizens are not very concerned with plague as a weapon, that we are more concerned with anthrax and smallpox. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
Discussion Questions for YEAR OF WONDERS (fiction selection)
1. How did you like the title of this book? Do you think the title fits the plot and theme?
2. Did you accept Anna as a believable character? How did her position in the town affect the story?
3. Why did the wealthy Bradford family decide to leave town? Why did they return? How would you have reacted to their behavior?
4. Do you think sealing off the town from the outside world was a good idea? Did the townspeople accomplish their goal? Would that action work in today’s world?
5. Did you find the ending to be plausible and acceptable, or far-fetched and contrived?
Created
March 2012
