Last Bus To Wisdom: A Novel

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How effective did you find Doig’s portrayal of the 1950s US through the eyes of 11-year-old Donal, and what aspects of his cross-country journey most captured your interest?

2. Last Bus to Wisdom shares many similarities with Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, from its young protagonist to the companion whom authorities seek. How did Doig’s homage to classic American road novels affect your reading experience?

3. The book was Doig’s final novel and was published posthumously. In what ways might this knowledge influence your interpretation of the story’s thematic concern with finding one’s place in the world?

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

1. Donal collects autographs and inscriptions in his memory book from people he meets during his journey. What kind of memory book would you keep during a significant journey, and what would you hope people might write in it?

2. Herman takes a significant risk by leaving Kate and joining Donal on his return journey. When have you or someone you know made a decisive break from an unhappy situation, and what were the outcomes?

3. Throughout the novel, Donal uses his imagination and storytelling abilities to navigate difficult situations. How has creativity or improvisation helped you handle unexpected challenges in your life?

4. Throughout the novel, Herman advises Donal that “luck is not to be sniffled at, wherever it comes from.” When has an apparent misfortune in your life eventually revealed itself as having unexpected benefits?

5. Donal struggles with being torn between staying at Rags’s ranch or returning to live with his grandmother. How have you reconciled similar conflicts between appealing but different life paths?

6. Donal’s relationship with Herman grows from initial wariness to deep trust and mutual support. How has a relationship in your life evolved from an unexpected beginning into something meaningful or significant?

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

1. The novel is set against the backdrop of 1951 America and includes references to Senator McCarthy, the aftermath of World War II, and changing infrastructure. How do these historical elements enrich the story, and what insights does the novel offer about this period?

2. Throughout his journey, Donal encounters various regional dialects and expressions. What does the novel reveal about the linguistic and cultural diversity of mid-century America?

3. The book portrays Indigenous American communities and artifacts, including the Crow Fair and Donal’s obsidian arrowhead. How might contemporary readers evaluate these portrayals differently than readers when the book was published in 2015?

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

1. How does the physical journey on Greyhound buses mirror Donal’s internal development throughout the story?

2. The memory book serves as both a plot device and a symbol in the novel. How does this object’s significance evolve throughout the story?

3. The novel contains numerous parallel encounters, such as multiple run-ins with lawmen or dishonest characters. How do these recurring patterns enhance the storytelling and reflect Doig’s view of life’s unpredictability?

4. How does Aunt Kate’s characterization contrast with those of other adults Donal encounters, and what might this reveal about Doig’s view of compassion and responsibility?

5. Analyze how the obsidian arrowhead represents contested ownership, cultural heritage, and personal identity in the novel.

6. Doig incorporates a chance meeting with Jack Kerouac and references his 1955 novel On the Road. How does this literary connection enhance your understanding of Donal’s journey?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What do you envision might happen to Donal, Herman, and Gram in the five years following the novel’s conclusion?

2. Many characters in the novel receive nicknames that reveal something about them. What nickname would the Johnson family workers give you, and what would it reveal about your character?

3. The migrants share stories around the campfire that reflect their experiences. What song or story from your own background would you contribute to such a gathering?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.