“Imaginative and fast-paced...an ambitious novel of delightful complexities.”
  — Susan Lavin, Manager, Poulsbo Branch Library

Questions for Discussion

1. Curry is the one endowed with special powers, yet he seems to need Darwin. What does Darwin contribute to their partnership?

2. With what differing emotions do Kluge Island residents react to ‘Swami Curryban Bucklananda’?

3. Why is Curry reluctant to explore his newly-emerging powers?

4. What code of ethics guides Curry? How is Darwin’s ‘agenda’ different from Curry’s?

5. Give examples of how Darwin adjusts his behavior to accommodate Curry’s temperament. How does Curry accommodate Darwin?

6. If you were in Curry’s shoes, what questions—if any—would you refuse to seek answers to?

7. If you had Darwin’s opportunity to have any question answered, what would you ask?

8. What would you not want to know about your own future?

9. When Darwin swam through the flooded tunnel to save Choker, how did this experience change him? Why was this important with regard to his partnership with Curry? How did the author use symbolism in this scene?

10. Is Choker Durant bad-to-the-bone, or do you think people can change?

11. Have you ever felt ‘trapped in a dark hole’ because of something bad you did? Explain.

12. Did Darwin and Curry make the right choice regarding Aunt Iris? Why or why not?

13. How are Darwin’s, Keeley’s, and Curry’s families different? What would be the best and worst part of living in each of these families?

14. Darwin was greatly inspired by Ms. Dozier’s courage in standing up to Principal Krogstrand, and in facing her disease. Describe a teacher who has made a difference in your life.

1. Becoming an Individual: List three instances from the story where characters stood their ground against others who tried to sway their actions. Find an example in the story where a character wrongly submitted to another person’s will. Share an instance from your own life where (against your better judgment) you’ve caved in to pressure, and an instance where you’ve stood up to pressure.

2. Finding the Real Deal: A great many fortune-tellers, clairvoyants, faith healers, and yogis have proven to be frauds. Do you think it’s possible some might be genuine? What would make you trust or distrust such a person? Select and analyze one person who is (or has been) reputed to have extra-normal or miraculous powers.

3. Aptitudes and Talents: You may not know anyone with Curry’s special abilities, but all people seem to be born programmed with certain interests, skills, habits, and talents. Pick one special skill or interest that you’ve always had, and discuss how you might develop it further.

4. Reincarnation: Curry doesn’t believe in it, even though his inner voice says otherwise. Do some research and write a paragraph on what reincarnation is, and what its believers have to say about it. If you truly have lived in different ages, been both man and woman, been many nationalities and races, had many occupations, in what way would this affect your view of life?

5. Standing up to Domination: Most cultures, for thousands of years and in the present, have been based on domination—often brutal—by powerful male leaders. How do the women of Kluge Island resist their local dominator (Emil Krogstrand)? How do their examples inspire Curry and Darwin to challenge Krogstrand? Further research: How many nations of the world currently are led by a woman? How many large US corporations (Fortune 500) have a woman chief executive officer (CEO)? What is the demographic breakdown of the US congress?

6. Island Life: Would you enjoy living on a small island or other isolated community? Make a contact, perhaps by e-mail, with someone near your age who lives in such a place. Find out what they have to say about ‘island’ life. Make a list of questions you’d like to ask your contact.