Considerations when reading a work of fiction

These questions can be asked of any novel you read.


1. The circumstance that sets the book in motion is called the inciting moment. What was the inciting moment of this book?     

2. Describe the character development. Who did you identify with? Did your opinions about any of the characters change over the course of the novel?     

3. How does the author use language and imagery to bring the characters to life? Did the book's characters or style in any way remind you of another book?     

4. What do you believe is the message the author is trying to convey to the reader? What did you learn from this book? Was it educational in any way?     

5. Why do you think the author chose the title? Is there a significant meaning behind it?     

6. Is there a part of the novel you didn't understand? Are you confused by a character's actions or the outcome of an event?     

7. Do you think the setting, both time and location, played a large role in this novel? Could it have happened anywhere, at anytime? If so, how would the novel have changed?     

8. In your opinion, is the book entertaining? Explain why or why not.     

9. What is your favourite passage?     

10. How did this book touch your life? Can you relate to it on any level?

11. How does the book leave you feeling?

12. How does the physicality of the book, ie, the size, weight, font, white space on the pages etc, impact on your reading?

13. What is the social and political context of the setting, and of the writer's time? How does this inform your reading?

14. How does the book compare to others by the same author or on the same themes or topic?

15. How was your reading informed by what you knew of the book beforehand?