Mud City

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Shauzia postpones her dream of France to join Mrs. Weera’s dangerous mission into Afghanistan. How did you react to this choice? Did it feel like a satisfying conclusion to her journey, or were you hoping for a different outcome for her?

2. Mud City is the third book in The Breadwinner series. If you’ve read the earlier books, how did Shauzia’s portrayal here meet or change your expectations of her character? For those new to the series, how effective was the novel as a standalone story?

3. What was your experience reading a story about such harsh realities from the perspective of a young, resilient protagonist? How did Shauzia’s point of view shape your understanding of the refugee crisis depicted in the book?

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

1. Shauzia treasures her photograph of a lavender field in France, using it as a symbol of hope to endure her daily struggles. Think about a time in your own life when a personal goal or dream helped you get through a difficult period. What was your “lavender field,” and how did it motivate you?

2. Throughout the story, Shauzia is torn between her fierce desire for independence and the needs of the community around her. Have you ever felt a similar pull between pursuing a personal ambition and fulfilling a responsibility to a group, whether it’s family, friends, or a larger community?

3. Mrs. Weera is a stern, pragmatic leader who uses tough love to guide Shauzia. How do you think you would have responded to her leadership style if you were in Shauzia’s position? 

4. When Shauzia stays with the Western family, she can’t stop herself from hoarding food, even in a house full of plenty. Have you ever gone through a time when past experiences shaped your sense of security?

5. Jasper the dog is Shauzia’s most loyal companion, offering protection and unconditional affection. Have you ever found such companionship from an animal?

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

1. The story is set against the backdrop of the post-9/11 US invasion of Afghanistan. How does the novel illustrate the ways that major geopolitical events impact the daily lives and sense of security of ordinary people like the refugees in the camp?

2. The guide points to The Erosion of Dignity Amid Poverty and Conflict as a central theme, shown when Shauzia is forced to beg or when the food riot breaks out. Where do you see similar pressures affecting people’s dignity in today’s world, whether due to poverty, displacement, or other forms of crisis?

3. Tom and Barbara, the American couple, are kind and well-intentioned, but they ultimately fail to understand Shauzia’s trauma. What commentary does the novel offer on the complexities and potential limitations of charitable intervention from outsiders?

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

1. The novel traces Shauzia’s journey from a constrained community to a perilous freedom and back again. How does this cyclical narrative structure reinforce the book’s central themes about home and independence?

2. What is the symbolic function of Jasper the dog in the narrative? Do any human characters fill a similar role of providing unwavering protection and trust?

3. Walls are a recurring motif, from the mud walls of the camp to the high walls of the Westerners’ home. In what ways does Ellis use these different enclosures to explore the novel’s ideas about confinement, safety, and home?

4. Shauzia’s decision to disguise herself as a boy is essential for her survival and mobility. How does her use of a male persona to gain agency compare to other literary characters who have used disguise to navigate hostile or restrictive environments? Examples range from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to Stacey Lee’s Under a Painted Sky.

5. Consider Mrs. Weera’s role as a foil to Shauzia. How do her unwavering, community-focused principles help to highlight and shape Shauzia’s own development from an individualist to someone who chooses collective action?

6. At the end of the novel, what does leaving Shauzia on the road to a dangerous mission, rather than in her lavender field, suggest about the nature of hope and survival in her world?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could give Shauzia one piece of advice at any point in her journey, what would you say and when would you say it? How do you think she would react?

2. Imagine Shauzia meets the university-educated beggar woman again after deciding to join Mrs. Weera. What might their conversation sound like now that Shauzia’s perspective has changed so dramatically?

3. Picture yourself designing a new cover for Mud City. What central image or symbol from the story would you feature to capture its core themes? What mood would you aim to create?