[bookshare-discuss] Reader's Guide to Pompeii by Robert Harris
- From: David <walemly@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'Acb-l Email List'" <acb-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:12:42 -0500
Below is a Reader's Discussion Guide provided by David Faucheux to the book
Pompeii by Robert Harris which we'll be discussing in the Journey through
History book group on 8/4/20 at 8pm Eastern.
Alan Lemly
I was Googling and found a Reader's Guide and wondered if it were okay for
one of you to send it out to the group as a way to think about the book for
Tuesday?
Taken from
https://www.bookbrowse.com/reading_guides/detail/index.cfm/book_number/1317/
Pompeii
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
Reader's Guide
1. 'It struck me that Rome might be a way to write about America' -Robert
Harris Robert Harris had initially set out to write about a utopia gone
wrong, set in the future and created by a giant American corporation, he
even originally researched the Walt Disney 'empire'. Do you think the Roman
Empire is an interesting way to write about a modern day superpower? What
are the similarities with current global events?
2. There is a current vogue in film (Gladiator, Troy, Alexander the
Great) as well as books for classical themes - why do you think this is?
What are the parallels with our society?
3. Harris has referred to 'toga resistance' because so much about the
Romans - their habits, assumptions, the way they speak, even their names -
can be alienating to a contemporary audience. Do you feel he succeeds in
being readable and authentic?
4. The ability to disguise the outcome is held to be a vital part of the
thriller writer's art. Pompeii is a 'known-ending story' - how successful do
you think the author has been in building tension despite this? Where does
the suspense lie? Does he use the reader's foreknowledge to good effect?
5. 'I was interested in power and those who seek power' -Robert Harris
Discuss the theme of power, corruption and greed within the novel -
particularly in light of the apocalyptic ending. Also, the forces of nature
versus civilization and town versus countryside.
6. The epigraphs to the chapters are extracts from volcanology texts -
what purpose do you think these serve? Do they work, along with the four-day
structure, as a narrative device? If so, how?
7. Harris has an accessible but informed style of writing. He spent three
years researching Pompeii. Has he convincingly blurred fact with the pace of
fiction for you? Are plot twists chosen over nuances of character and does
this matter to you?
8. Attilius is an aquarius, the structure of the novel moves from water
to fire - discuss the theme of water within the novel.
9. The story of Attilius and his unfulfilled love for Corelia adds a very
human dimension to the novel. Do you feel this is an effective subplot?
David speaks:
I don't expect anyone to rattle off pat answers to any of the above
questions, but I thought they might serve as food for thought.
I do, however, have one question myself.
Tell me what you thought of the blind slave who appears briefly in this
novel. Did you find his portrayal of interest? Why or why not?
Thank you for your consideration of this guide and for wanting to attend
Tuesday's program.
Best, stay well.
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