Our staff readers have prepared this list of discussion questions for those reading Strength in What Remains. Use these if you are starting your own book club, or just keep the questions in mind as you are reading the book. Starting next week, we will be introducing staff reading the book and they will begin posting their own thoughts on these questions…and we hope you will join the conversation!
- What is your overall impression of the book? Would you recommend it to your peers?
- Why do you think Tracy Kidder chose Strength in What Remains as the title to Deo’s story?
- Do you identify with any of the characters in Strength in What Remains? Who and Why?
- Kidder refers to the genocide memorials as representing ‘Never Again’ yet questions if there could be such a thing as too much remembering “…too much of it could suffocate a person, and indeed a culture.’ What do you think about genocide memorials and their usefulness to prevent massacres in the future? Has your view of genocide changed after reading this book?
- How would you compare Deo’s experiences in New York City compared to his growing up years in Burundi? How about his return visits to Burundi?
- Discrimination is a prevalent topic within this book. Cite some examples that Deo experienced. Have you experienced any similar actions where you find you can relate?
- Deo asked at one point “Why was I saved?” What qualities do you think Deo possessed that enabled him to survive his journey? Do you think if you were in his place you’d have the same outcome?
- What are some of the lessons from the book that you can draw from and relate to your everyday life?
- What impact did small acts of kindness and the charity of individuals have on Deo’s journey?
People to People International’s Global Book Club is a way to connect with your global community. Global Book Club members communicate about valuable, international topics and gain unique insight and understanding of various cultural views in relation to those topics. For more information on People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
The opinions expressed by PTPI staff and other book club members are entirely their own and are not necessarily the views of PTPI or its Officers, Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
Tags: Global Book Club, Strength in What Remains, Tracy Kidder
Excellent ideas here, have emailed my mum so expect a big reply!!
This is definitely a book I would recommend to friends. In fact, I already have and I invited her to join us in this discussion. (Karen, are you there?) Here’s what baffles me. In reference to question 4: What is it that draws some people to books such as this–I Will Plant You Lilac Tree, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, A Stone in My Hand, and others–while other people avoid such books, discussions, and movies. I have a neighbor who wouldn’t go to see movies such as Schindler’s List because they’re “too sad.” Is “Never again” too much with some people and not enough with others??? Is there such a thing as balance?
Gay
Strength in What Remains is an amazing story that truly needed to be told. I have dealt with various immigrant groups thru our local university, different NGOs and church ministries and Deo’s story sounds similar to friends I have from Pakistan, Lebanon but probably moreso a friend from Nigeria who came here penniless and crippled and is now working as an accountant for our Federal Government. Many people simply do not realize all these underground jobs that exist and how so many who find their way here even legally are taken advantage of.
The thing I find makes Americans so much different than all the immigrants I know, and clearly outlined in this book, is how Americans for the most part do not relate to anyone from a tribal or ethnic perspective, as probably a majority of the world today still does. I think social class plays a bigger role in determining your potential here, especially if you are born here.
I have a lot more to read but so far this book was definitely worth buying and taking the effort to read.