Stolen Tongues

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did you enjoy reading the book? What did you like most and least?

2. Compare and contrast this text with other horror stories you’ve read. What makes this work unique? What does it have in common with other texts in the horror genre?

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

1. Have you ever suffered from night terrors, sleep paralysis, or sleepwalking episodes? How does Faye’s (or Felix’s) experience compare to your own?

2. Have you ever looked into an Indigenous group’s folklore? What prompted this exploration? What did you learn?

3. Felix claims he does not believe in the supernatural at the beginning of the narrative, but quickly changes his opinion. Are you a skeptic toward the supernatural as Felix was, or more of a believer like Faye?

4. Faye realizes toward the novel’s end that she suppressed the grief she felt for her brother, and must confront it to defeat the Imposter. Have you ever struggled to process a difficult emotion or event in your own life? How did you work through it?

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

1. How does Blackwell present female characters? Do you feel he relies on stereotypes to depict women? If so, when? If not, what textual events or characters help to challenge stereotypes?

2. What are the strengths and limitations of how the text handles discussions of Indigenous groups and cultures? What parts did you find culturally sensitive? What parts rely on stereotypes or caricatures?

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

1. Analyze how Felix and Faye’s character arcs and characterization contrast or mirror one another throughout the text. How are they different or similar? In what ways do they change or fail to change?

2. While the novel centers on Felix and Faye’s relationship, there are also elements that touch on family dynamics, such as Faye’s relationship with her parents and sister Becca. How are Faye’s family members depicted, and what is their wider significance in the text?

3. Consider the novel’s cabin setting. How is the setting described? How does it help to add elements of horror and/or narrative suspense to the text?

4. Analyze how the supernatural functions in the text. How do the supernatural elements reflect or further some of the text’s key themes and ideas?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. How fulfilling or satisfying did you find the Epilogue? If you didn’t find it satisfying, what changes would you make?

2. The book is currently being adapted by an independent filmmaker for the big screen. Who would you like to see cast as Felix, Faye, Lynn and Greg, Pike, Tíwé, and Nathan? How about as the Impostor?