Discussion day is today, 3/8 – Visit the discussion page and join the conversation!
Hello Book Clubbers! We’re about 9 days away from our book club meeting on Wednesday March 8th to discuss Indra Das’ The Devourers. I’ll be honest, I’ve not finished it yet, but I did want to get this reminder post up for those of you who are like me, and get some of the possible discussion topics out for you to be thinking about.
I’ve seen a variety of reviews starting to come in and I feel as though we’re going to have a lot to say about this work. Remember, everyone is welcome to chat even if you have not completed the book. There was a reason you chose to not continue (even if it was lack of time) and everyone should feel free to discuss those reasons. Also, if you have a particular topic that you would like to see discussed, leave it in the comments below. I’ll work to include them here and over on Facebook. 
Like our other #CannonBookClub Reads, I will be moderating discussion here in a dedicated post and also over at our Facebook Cannonball Read Book Chat group, throughout the day on the 8th. The group is open to everyone, so feel free to join us there as well!
A selection of topics for your perusal:
- “I am going to tell you a story, and it is true.” What does this pronouncement mean to the reader? Also, how does it relate to the title of our YA read from last year The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian?
- The Devourers asks complicated questions about what it means to be human. To desire and create, to have control over our bestial selves, to do the ‘right’ thing? How does the book argue we find our true identities, and what propels us towards them?
- The Devourers contains quite a bit of the violence — cultural, sexual, and racial — that humans continually inflict upon one another. It’s been a stumbling point for several of our own readers, how do you come to terms with it, if you did.
- Are we able to garner the nature of humanity through non-human eyes? Is it the only way to truly understand our own humanity?
- What do you make of this work’s take on a werewolf origin story? Das, through Alok, namedrops the tropes, but then builds on it. What do you think of his storycraft in this regard?
- How do you, as a reader, think we are supposed to feel about Cyrah’s relationship with her shape-shifting companion, Gévaudan? As a werewolf himself, Gévaudan represents the hatred shape-shifters have for humans, yet he displays a fierce love for and loyalty toward Cyrah.
- This novel has little horizontal movement – not much happens in the plot. It is instead built on the vertical axis, digging ever deeper into the meanings and emotions of choices long since made. Is this a strength, or a weakness?
Okay, I’ll see everyone on March 8th to get to talking.