The Library at Mount Char

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

1. Consider the novel’s characterization of Father and the librarians as godlike, even though they are human. Where do you see the elevation of some humans as godlike in your own life, culture, and society?

2. Does the text’s depiction of cruelty and compassion at such a large, intense scale feel relevant to real life? What aspects of the moral conflicts Carolyn and Steve faced in the book resonated with you, and why?

3. Throughout the novel, Carolyn manipulates Steve, a man she claims to love, in order to engineer a particular outcome. What is your view of Carolyn’s manipulation of Steve? Discuss how your personal experiences influence your reaction.

4. Discuss the novel’s emphasis on the relationship between language, thought, and emotion. How do you see this connection manifest in your own life?

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

1. When Steve sacrifices himself to get through to Carolyn, she thinks, “Normal men burn surprisingly fast. Therein, perhaps, we find God’s mercy” (336). What does her reaction suggest about how humans grieve and cope with trauma?

2. The novel deals with subject matter that may be considered shocking, as the content warnings in this guide indicate. Discuss the roles and obligations of literature in addressing sensitive topics. What responsibilities lie with the author, the publisher, or the reading public?

3. Carolyn asks Steve if he’s a Buddhist. He responds: “No. I’m an asshole. But I keep trying” (216). Considering Steve’s backstory and character, why do you think he is drawn to the tenets of Buddhism? How does Buddhist philosophy address human concerns differently than other philosophies, religions, or lifestyles?

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

1. Discuss the librarian’s use of the term “Americans” throughout the novel. How does this terminology influence the setting and scope of the story?

2. Identify the possible motives for Carolyn to kill Detective Miner and discuss how this develops her character. Does it contribute to the plot or themes in other ways?

3. The word regret is drawn on Margaret’s body by Jennifer during her resurrection, and the reissak ayrial is described as “a sphere anchored in the plane of regret” (70). Explore the significance of regret as a concept in the novel and discuss how it relates to the book’s themes and messages.

4. Consider the main setting of the novel, the once-ordinary subdivision of Garrison Oaks. As a setting, how does this neighborhood fit within the fantasy genre, and how does it contribute to the mood and tension within the story?