Questions and Topics for Discussion
1. The epigraph to the book reads, "This is not the book I wanted to write. This is not how it was supposed to be at all." What does this mean? Who is the speaker?
2. Is Adam Woods a reliable narrator? Do you trust him as the storyteller? Why or why not? What are examples of where he builds trust or breaks it? How would the story be different if it was written from the point of view of Gordon Crace or even an outsider?
3. The novel begins, "Wherever I went I saw a question mark at the heart of the city." This form of a question mark appears several other times throughout the book. What does this question mark represent? Does it represent something different for Adam than it does for the reader?
4. What are Adam's first impressions of Gordon Crace? Is Crace what he expected? Is he what you expected? Gordon Crace's house is poorly kept and covered in grime and dust. What does this reveal about him? What about his elaborate art collection? How does Crace's dingy residence clash with Adam's obsessive neat streak?
5. Discuss Winterborne Abbey and its relationship to Crace. Why does he have such a difficult time speaking about it?
6. Describe and discuss Adam's interpretation of Crace's frame of mind throughout the novel. Does his mental state change? If so, what are the indicators? When and how does it happen?
7. How does your view of Adam change throughout the novel? Out of the many things that he does, what is his worst offense? What are his motives? Describe how Adam views and understands the concepts of love and power. How are they related in his mind?
8. Discuss Adam and Eliza's relationship. Does Adam's obsessive nature ruin it? What role, if any, does Eliza play in Adam's quest to be Crace's biographer?
9. What are the repercussions of Adam Woods looking like Christopher Davidson? How are they alike and how are they different?
10. One of the major themes of the novel is the idea of someone's story and how it is told. What are the differences between a diary, an autobiography, and a biography? Identify how each appears in this novel and how the author uses those differences in the narrative.
11. Adam Woods and Gordon Crace are both manipulative and violent sex offenders. Who is a more sympathetic character? Do you think that either of them have inherently good motives that are in conflict with their poor decisions and actions?
12. Throughout the novel Adam Woods lies many times. When and why does he do so? Is this tactic effective? In real life, is lying ever an acceptable tactic? If so, when?
13. Discuss the concepts of guilt and remorse in the novel. Do either of the main characters feel them?
14. Were you surprised by the ending? Who do you think is more cunning, Adam Woods or Gordon Crace? Do you feel success for Crace, and loss for Adam? Or the other way around? Who wins in the end?
Enhance Your Reading Group
1. Venice is a beautiful city stretched across a number of small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. Learn more about the city, or even plan a trip by visiting www.turismovenezia.it/eng/dynalay.asp?PAGINA=407.
2. To see photos of Venice as described in the novel, check out some of these books from your local library: Living in Venice, by Frédéric Vitoux; Francesco's Venice: The Dramatic History of the World's Most Beautiful City, by Francesco da Mosto; or Venice: City of Art, by Matteo Varia.
3. Cook an Italian meal for your book group. Some excellent Italian cookbooks from Simon & Schuster include: The Italian Country Table: Home Cooking from Italy's Farmhouse Kitchens, by Lynne Rossetto Kasper, and Williams-Sonoma Collection: Italian, by Pamela Sheldon Johns.