Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your initial reaction to the blend of quiet, contemplative family drama and the loud, public spectacle of Gabriel’s life? Did you find one aspect of the story more compelling than the other?

2. Ron Rindo has written other fiction set in the American Midwest, like authors William Kent Kreuger (The River We Remember, Ordinary Grace) and Marilynne Robinson (Gilead, Home). How did the specific Wisconsin setting in Life, and Death, and Giants shape your experience of the story?

3. The novel’s ending shifts into magical realism with the gathering of animals and fireflies. How did you feel about this conclusion to Gabriel’s story? Did it feel like a surprise, or was it a fitting end to his journey?

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

1. Hannah’s faith is tested by immense suffering, forcing her to move from rigid doctrine to a more complex personal belief system. How do your personal beliefs underpin your worldview, and how do they support you in difficult times?

2. How does the book explore the deep, and sometimes restrictive, bonds of the tight-knit Amish community versus the independence found in the “English” world? Have you experienced communities that provide a strong sense of belonging but also demand conformity?

3. Gabriel’s extraordinary size is presented as both a gift and a burden that ultimately leads to his exploitation. Have you ever experienced isolation and/or exploitation as a result of your unique talents or attributes? How did you deal with it?

4. The Fisher family is built on layers of secrets, particularly the devastating truth about Absalom. Have you ever experienced the revelation of a long-held family or community secret? How did it change the lives and relationships around you?

5. The profound connection between Thomas and Gabriel illustrates the power of mentorship and found family. Have you ever had a mentor? How did they contribute to your life and your sense of self?

6. Several characters, like Thomas and Trey Beathard, get a second chance at life in Lakota. Do you believe in redemption and the possibility of starting over? Have you ever gotten a second chance to change your life or something you regret?

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

1. How does Gabriel’s path from a rural curiosity to a global wrestling star serve as a critique of modern celebrity culture and the media’s role in exploiting individuals?

2. The author notes his inspiration came from the life of Robert Wadlow, the tallest person in recorded history. How did knowing Gabriel’s condition was based on a real person affect your reading? In what ways does the story comment on how our society treats individuals who are physically different?

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

1. What is the effect of the multi-perspective narration? How does shifting between Hannah’s spiritual introspection and the more secular viewpoints of Billy Walton and Trey Beathard influence your understanding of the central events? How might it be different if the story was only told from one of the narrators’ points of view?

2. Animals are a constant presence in the novel, from the Saanen doe that nourishes the infant Gabriel to their gathering at his death. What symbolic role do animals play in the novel, and how do they function as a moral counterpoint to the human world?

3. Discuss the title, Life, and Death, and Giants. Beyond Gabriel’s physical stature, who or what are the other “giants” in the story?

4. How do Thomas and Josiah function as foils for one another? What do their different approaches to life, fatherhood, and love reveal about the novel’s central tensions?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. You are tasked with designing a memorial for Gabriel that goes beyond the simple limestone marker. What elements would you include to capture the full, complex story of his life?

2. Rachel Fisher’s voice is absent from the narrative. What do you imagine her inner life was like during her exile across the river? How might a single scene told from her perspective change our understanding of her choices?

3. Thomas ends the novel driving toward a new life in Montana, feeling that it’s “just about to begin.” What do you envision for his future? What might a typical day look like for him a year after he leaves Lakota?