Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Before They Are Hanged is a classic example of “grimdark” fantasy, a subgenre known for its moral ambiguity and gritty realism. How did you react to this cynical tone compared to more traditional heroic fantasy? If you’ve read other books in this vein, like George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, how does author Joe Abercrombie’s approach to the genre compare for you?

2. The story is split into three different plotlines: the war in the North, the siege of Dagoska, and Bayaz’s quest. Did you find this structure effective? Which storyline captured your attention the most, and were there any you found less engaging?

3. What was the single most shocking or memorable moment for you in the book? Was it a character’s decision, a battle’s outcome, or the final reveal of the quest’s failure?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Logen tells Jezal that trust is important to cultivate. Think about a time in your own life when you had to place your trust in someone without having all the facts. How did that experience shape you?

2. West begins as a man of principle trying to operate within a corrupt military system. Have you ever been in a situation, perhaps at work or in a group project, where your own values clashed with the values of the larger group or institution? How did you navigate that conflict?

3. In the novel, Jezal’s injuries force him to reevaluate his life so far. Has a challenge or failure in your life led you to a similar exercise? What changes did you make in response?

4.Glokta has an inner monologue that constantly questions his choices. In your experience, is such self-criticism common? How do you or someone you know deal with it?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel vividly portrays how the personal egos and rivalries of leaders like General Kroy, General Poulder, and Prince Ladisla lead to military disaster. Where do you see similar dynamics in modern institutions, whether in politics, business, or other organizations?

2. What does the banking house of Valint and Balk’s influence over Glokta and Sult suggest about the nature of power? Does the novel seem to argue that true control lies not with kings or armies, but with shadowy financial entities?

3. Glokta’s defense of Dagoska is ultimately revealed to be a political maneuver by Arch Lector Sult, making the city’s immense suffering a means to a political end. What does this reveal about how governments or powerful institutions can sometimes value strategic goals over human lives?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the significance of the novel’s title, Before They Are Hanged? How does this phrase reflect the precarious situations many of the characters find themselves in, caught between past crimes and future consequences?

2. How are physical scars used as a motif throughout the novel? In what ways do the wounds of characters like Glokta, Jezal, and Ferro reflect their internal transformations and the brutal realities of their world?

3. How does the setting of the Old Empire’s ruins contribute to the theme of The Illusion of Control in a Chaotic World? Do these decaying monuments serve as a warning about the futility of Bayaz’s quest for power?

4. How does Before They Are Hanged function as the middle chapter of a trilogy? Thinking about other famous second installments you might have read or seen, like The Two Towers, what makes this book effective or challenging in its role of raising the stakes for the finale?

5. In what ways does Abercrombie subvert your expectations for common fantasy archetypes? Consider the “wise old wizard” (Bayaz), the “honorable soldier” (West), and the “heroic quest” itself. Which subversion did you find most effective or surprising?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What three pieces of advice would you give the Dogman as he reluctantly steps into the role of chief? How might he lead a crew that includes volatile personalities like Black Dow while honoring the memory of Threetrees?

2. If you were to design a personal banner for Collem West reflecting his transformation by the book’s end, what symbols and colors would you choose? How would you visually represent the death of his old, principled self and the birth of a more ruthless commander?

3. If you could sit down with one character from the book for a conversation, who would you choose and what one question would you ask them about their journey or their choices?