Strange Houses

How does the novel reckon with home ownership as a marker of class status and achievement? Is the novel critiquing this notion, or does it agree with the idea that people should hold such aspirations? How can you tell?

Discuss the author’s approach to plot development. How does Uketsu use the tension of what the reader knows (and doesn’t know) to facilitate narrative momentum? For instance, consider the fact that the external conflict is already technically resolved by the time the novel begins.

Consider the novel’s thesis regarding the tension between family tradition and individualism. Does the novel advocate for an entirely individualistic way of life, breaking away from the family-centered perspectives that are common in many Asian societies? How so?