Discussion questions for I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

1. Do you think Bodie’s motivations had more to do with finding the killer or exposing the teacher? Do you think she would have fought so hard if she didn’t think the teacher was also the murderer?
2. What did you find to be the most thought-provoking aspect(s) of the book?
3. What were some of the weak points of the book?  Some of the strongest aspects?
4. What did you think about Makkai’s inclusion of the many small portrayals of violence against women (“the one where”)?  Did they detract from the narrative, or enhance it?  In what way(s)?
5. Was Thalia a fully fleshed-out character?  Could she have been?  What about Omar?
6. What did you think about the #MeToo subplot revolving around Jerome?  What did it add to the overall narrative?
7. Would you consider this book a mystery?  A thriller?  A novel of suspense?  Something else?
8. What do you think about the motivations of someone like [that other podcaster]?  Bodie’s motivations can be explained by her own peripheral involvement, but why would someone with no ties to the case sensationalize it?  Justice for Omar? For Thalia? Something else?
9. Did Bodie’s interjections to “you” (Denny Bloch) help propel the narrative for you, or did it interrupt the flow of the story?
10. One reviewer says that Bodie is “at times amoral”.  Do you agree?  If so, what are some examples of Bodie acting amoraly?
11. What did you think about the ending?  Were you hoping for a clearer resolution?  Do you think there should have been a new trial?

For more questions, check out the author’s book club kit.

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