Book Club Questions

I am available, either in-person or virtual (Zoom, Teams...), to participate in a book club discussion for either The Splinter or The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus. For each book, sample questions to guide book club discussions are below.

It's widely recognized that there are three things needed for a vibrant book club discussion. The first is a good book (I'm hoping either one of my books would do), the second is a list of questions (see below) and the third is, arguably the most important, alcohol. There is an abundance of research that shows a direct correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed at a book club and the quality of the discussion. But be aware that it follows a bell-curve and once you go over the peak consumption amount, there is a point where a fun, friendly and lively discussion ends up in fist-fights, pulled-hair, broken vases, and books hurled at one another.

The Splinter

The Story

The Splinter offers one alternative view of the political landscape in the future. If you were writing this book, how would you draw that landscape?
The book’s tone changes from comedic political satire (Cabinet Meetings) to suspense (will the legislation be found, what is Chen up to…) to intergenerational relationships (between Malindi and her great-grandfather). Was the tone change jarring, or did it keep the story fresh and the reader on their toes?
The book leans on specific historical details (British and American politics, colonial-era history, real political rhetoric) rather than generic "fictional country" world-building. Did that historical specificity make the satire feel more grounded or more pointed — and were there moments it slowed the comedy down?
Find a moment where the humor pointed to something darker and more serious. What tipped it over?
What's the one image or line from the book you keep coming back to?

Characters

Lundu Simwanza was influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin King, while Sir William Ellingson was influenced by the opinions of Sir Cecil Rhodes.How do King and Rhodes differ? Do the two share any similar thoughts?
How are Chen and Pastor Orson's story-arcs similar?
Are there other books you’ve read with protagonists like Malindi?
There are multiple relationships in the book (Chen and Zhong, Malindi and Margaret, Malindi and her great-grandfather…); which ones did you enjoy the most? What felt most real and relatable?
Which of the three world leaders' (U.S., Great Britain, China) portrayals felt like it was doing the most work — revealing something true?

The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus

The Story

The story is told chronologically using a third-person omniscient point of view.If it were to be written from a first-person point of view, which character would you have narrating the story?
In the chapter to Codify and Canonize, Luke, as a Gospel writer, describes his work: "I see my task as having to pull together a cohesive story based on bits of written history and oral storytelling. One third is verifiable fact, another third is highly plausible lore, and the final third is a mix of myths, legends, and tales that act as a sort of glue that holds the whole thing together. This is how history is written.” Is this indeed how history is written? Imagine yourself as Luke, never having met Jesus and writing about his life decades after his death. How would you approach such a task?

Characters

There are several characters who unquestionably believe the baby named Jesus is the Son of God (Jude Aya, Elisheba, The High Priest, Luke…) there are others who pragmatically believe (Melchior, Jerome…), there are others who don’t believe (Mary, Joseph, Balthazar, Caspar…) and finally there are others who never express an opinion (The Keeper…).Which character do you have the closest affinity to?
Who is the most sympathetic character in the book and why?
Who is the least sympathetic character in the book and why?
Who, or what, is the cat who repeatedly appears from the time of the prophets through to the present day? Is he good, or evil, or just a cat who enjoys being at the center of things?
Isaiah and Micah are portrayed as prophetic rivals. Which one are you rooting for and why?
The story of Mary and Joseph ends as they are arriving back in Nazareth. We never get to see the interaction between Joseph and the Corinthian family after their wealth was destroyed. How would you write that chapter?

Bible and Religion

Should any religion be the subject of satire or parody?
Which details or story elements of this book, if any, are consistent with how they are portrayed in the Bible?
The book briefly touches on biblical stories like Jonah and the Whale, Moses transfiguring his walking staff into a snake, healing of a leper, and it also touches on stories from other religions (e.g. Ganesha, a Hindu god). What role do stories, myths, and parables play in faith?
In the chapter “The Granting of Miracles” the High Priest grants each of the Wise Men a miracle (supposedly on behalf of Jesus). If you were in the shoes of the Wise Men, what would you request?